The chat newspaper senior issue 2015 year 15 issue #8

Class of 2015:

A Year in Review

Maria Bozo Editor-in-Chief Emily Deese - Layout Looghermine Claude - Content Matthew Fernandez - Video Managing Editors Chatter Daily News Taylor Horan Web Managing Editor Emily Deese Business Manager Mr. J. Harris - Layout Mr. F. Fagen - Content Mr. J. Harris - Video Advisers

Mr. P. Bayer Principal

David Cha-Kim News Editor Hayley Hartwell Student Life Editor LJ Lemmers Technology Editor

Contents

The C.H.C. Staff

Melissa Pierce Entertainment Editor Matthew Deno Sports Editor Nick Rivera Features Editor Lauren Ramirez Lifestyle Editor Christine Alayon Clubs Editor

Student Life:

Lauren Cookley Community Outreach Sydney Silverberg - The CHAT Jonathan Harris - Web Photo Editors Matthew Perez Graphics Editor Carmen Pettersen Cartoonist

A Starry Night to Remember Graduating High School: Coming Full Circle

CONTENT STAFF: Josiah Celestine, Camilo Grijalva, Hanan Hessin, Amanda Peralta, Autumn Pough, Evan Samuels LAYOUT STAFF: Tomas Eiletz, Esteban Gangotena, Jacob Morgenstern, Fernando Plata PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF: Ryan Corona

Lifestyle:

GRAPHIC STAFF: Katie Perez CHAT VIDEO NEWS STAFF: Samuel Eliacin, Genesis Vesco

The C.H.A.T. is an official publication of the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS). The content of our newspaper is not necessarily the opinions of our advisers and administration.

The C.H.A.T. staff welcomes any comments to the editors and/or staff.

The C.H.A.T is a publication of C.H.C (Charter High Communications) sponsored by the Communications & Technology Department of PPCHS. Pembroke Pines Charter High School 17189 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines, FL 33331 Phone: 954-538-3700 Email: chc.ppchs@gmail.com Twitter: @_theCHATter Instagram: @thechatnews The CHAT welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel, and space.

Drop off letters in room C113 or send an email to chc.ppchs@gmail.com

April 26th: The not so perfect date Lifestyle Trends of the year

Technology: Games to come: Summer of ‘15 Marvel fan blasts his way to fame

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orts

Feature on Graduation : Pg 10-11

Sports: Class of ‘15 Sports Stars: Senior All-Stars Charters’ Successful Year in Sports

News:

Feature on Prom : Pg 8-9

Features: Farewell to The CHAT’s Graduating Class

Entertainment:

The Presidential Race for the People

Looking Back: Favorite TV Shows and Movies

Eathquake Strikes Fear in the Hearts of the Nepalese

The Curtain Falls on Entertainment Stories

Clubs & Electives: Relay for Life: A Night to Remember Electives: Always Touch to Choose Between

2015 Silver Knights

Summa Cum Lau Arvind Iyengar

Sofia Lalinde

Christina Yeh

Kelsey Farenhem

University of California at Berkely “In ten years, I see myself in the Bay Area working under my major.”

George-Town University Culture & Politics, and French and minoring in Women & Gender Studies. “In ten years, I’d like to see myself working in the Department of State. It’s my dream.”

Rice University Double major in Economics and English “In ten years, I either want to have a stable job right out of college or in Business school.”

University of Pennsylvania Biochemistry and accepted to the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. “I’ll be getting my master’s degree in Chemistry within my first four years of undergrad. In ten years I hope to have gotten my PhD already, but besides that I don’t really know.”

Nicolas Azcarate

Leysha Caraballo

Alison Smith

University of Florida.

Political Science. “In 10 years I see myself finishing law school and hopefully working at a law firm.”

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Communications and Environmental Science“In ten years I see myself working for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).”

University of Central Florida Honors Industrial Engineering. “By the end of the next decade I hope I’ll have ten years of memorable stories of change, friendship, passion, and success.

Katherine Castaner

Jonathon Zigler

Amadeo Gonzalez

Annelle Arciniega

University of Central Florida Pre-Law. “In 10 years I hope to see myself working at a law firm after finishing law school.”

Florida International University but planning on transferring to University of Central Florida after a semester or two to finish getting the remaining credits for his Associates Degree.

Chemistry. “In ten years, I hope to already be an established doctor in a hospital working towards my specialization, which is neurology.”

University of Florida Medical Engineering. “In ten years I want to be working at a hospital and have a family. I don’t really know about specifics, I’ll see what happens.”

Pre-Vet. “In ten years, I see myself being a vet and helping animals.”

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ude: Class of 2015 Shaun Enos

Paula Villafane

Victor Arango

Melissa Rodriguez

University of Florida (UF) Chemical Engineering “In ten years I hope to be working on ‘green’ chemicals in efforts to increase the efficiency of production and prevent harmful effects on our environment.”

New York University Business with a concentration in Actuarial Science “In ten years…yikes I don’t know where I want to be in ten years but hopefully I’ll be rich and opening a business, or a school.”

University of North Carolina Biology. “In ten years I see myself becoming a doctor and finishing up medical school.”

Deepthi Gangaram

Patricia Yordan Santiago

Yasir Nagi

Florida International University Honors Biomedical Engineering. “In ten years, no matter what path I take, I know I’ll be helping people. I can either be helping millions of people at once by engineering a new device, or I can either actually be in the health field helping one person at a time, watching people experience life’s most intimate moments such as births, deaths, diagnoses, and recoveries.”

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Biology.

“In ten years I hope to be finished with medical school and working at a pediatric office.”

Gardner-Webb Biology. “In ten years I see myself finishing medical school and interning at a children’s hospital so I can be a Pediatric Oncologist.”

University of Florida Chemical Engineering. “Career-wise in 10 years, I see myself working for a company like Exxon Mobil or BP that is looking to hire chemical engineers.”

Justin Ortiz

Rianna Haniff

Daniel Moran

Sofia Vargas

University of Florida Biology. “In ten years, I see myself as a doctor, married, and maybe even with a family.”

University of Florida Biology. “In ten years I will hopefully become a doctor.”

University of Florida Environmental science or Pre-Med. “In ten years I’ll probably be looking back on all these plans I’ve made and laughing, cause life’ll probably turn out way differently.”

University of Miami Business Administration. “In ten years, I hope to be earning my Masters in business and possibly starting a family.”

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Student Life Jake Dreilinger

I

Staff Writer

t’s a timeless tradition that is carried out by seniors everywhere. Every year at the end of the school year, the senior class comes together with seniors from other schools to celebrate the end of their high school career. On Saturday, April 25th, the River of Grass Auditorium was packed with the senior class. Everyone was there for one reason and one reason only- to have the time of their lives at the annual Grad Bash event. Many seniors waited for months to experience the once-in-alifetime event that would kick off all the senior events in the weeks to come.

At 3 p.m., the seniors began filing into the River of Grass and sitting by their bus number. Mrs. Cabeza took the chance to brush up on the rules of Grad Bash and explain that while they are there to have fun, the seniors are also representing Pines Charter. They were told to have fun and to follow the rules. By 4 p.m. the buses were loaded and off the Jaguars went to enjoy the night of their lives. By 8:30 p.m., a little later than expected, the Jags arrived at the park and had six hours to do whatever they wanted.

The longest part of the trip was the wait.

The seven buses carrying 350 anxious seniors made the trip in 4 hours. By the time they got to the park, the seniors only had six hours left to ride the rides and check out the Trey Songz performance. The only rides not open were any water rides and the rollercoasters closed at 12 a.m. Popular places for seniors to visit were the new Diagon Alley attraction, the Rip Ride Rocket Rollercoaster at Universal Studios, Hogwarts attractions, and Marvel attractions at Islands of Adventure. Students were given the freedom to explore the two parks and do whatever they wanted. This was their opportunity to get that one last good memory with their friends before everyone left for college.

“The best part of Grad Bash was being able to hang out with my best friends and just have fun,” shared senior Shaun Enos.

Students were given one meal voucher and could eat at only select locations.

However, they were not limited to just these places though, as they could eat anywhere in the park as long as it was open.

With just six hours to ride all the rides, many students opted to eat later in the night after all the rides were closed.

One of the highlights of Grad Bash every year is the live performances by some of the hottest artists, and this year was no exception with Trey Songz performing.

Stationed in the outdoor concert area in Universal Studios, Trey Songz drew the attention of thousands of teenagers, causing it to be one of the most crowded areas in the two parks. His performance brought the house down, as he maintained a large crowd throughout the night.

“It was fun getting to see all my friends and getting to spend the night at the park,” said senior Jeremy Prieto.

Grad Bash, like every year, was a huge success. From the rides to the live musical performance, there was something for everyone to do. Despite arriving a little late, all the seniors could agree that Grad Bash was one of the most memorable events of senior year. This will be the first of many events where all the seniors are together in one place. It also kicks of the road to graduation. Congratulations to the Class of 2015!

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Jags Prowl at Grad B

Photo donated by: Kyle Laremor

Photo donated by: Alex Monge

Photo donated by: Adam Isenbe

Photo donated by: Matthew Ye

Student Life

Bash

Beloved administrator wore many hats at PPCHS

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Maria Bozo & Lauren Cookley Editor-In-Chief & Community Outreach

Photo by: Aaliyah Pasols

erg

ejo

After a 41 year run, it has come time for one of PPCHS’ most beloved administrators to end one of the most significant parts of her life: education.

Photo donated by: Will Sadler

Whether it’s working with teachers and students, or planning one of the most prominent events in the school year, Ms. Tabie has proven to be one of the most influential people at PPCHS. This June, Ms. Tabie will officially begin her retirement.

Ms. Tabie became a part of the PPCHS family in 2002, two years after the school opened its doors. As an Assistant Principal at PPCHS, she serves a variety of different roles. She works closely with the Math, English and Reading departments. For the past two years, she has worked with the Class of 2017.

She’s also worked with two other graduating classes in her time here. Also, she assists with staff development, which includes helping teachers who are working for their in-service points, as well as exploring new ideas with their curriculum and classroom teaching strategies. She also works closely with the Guidance Department, under Ms. Thomas, the Guidance Director.

“Working at Pines Charter has been the highlight of my career. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being here and it has given me the opportunity of meeting both wonderful teachers and students. I’m sad to leave but I’m also looking forward to having new adventures and opportunities once I retire,” said Ms. Tabie.

Throughout her career, Ms. Tabie has worked in a variety of job environments. Ms. Tabie has worked in all four tiers of education: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and College. Before coming to PPCHS, she served as the Assistant Principal at Nova Middle and High School for seven years. Additionally, she also worked in the Air Force for the Defense Language Institute teaching English to foreign military personnel overseas.

“Ms. Tabie is irreplaceable in every respect. She will forever be a person who inspires me to be a better teacher, mother, and friend. I love Ms. Tabie to the depths of the Earth,” said Ms. Sunshine Phelps, English II Honors and AP Language and Composition teacher.

This year, Ms. Tabie has taken charge in planning this year’s graduation ceremony. First and foremost, this job entails making sure all students have the requirements to receive their diploma. Also, she works with the performing arts theater, making sure everyone is seated properly, inviting the dignitaries, making sure people have their box seating, making sure the faculty knows each of their roles, ordering the students’ and teachers’ caps and gowns, and making sure the parents and students know what’s going on.

“When I retire, I’m going to move to Wellington, which is about an hour north of Pembroke Pines. My daughter and her family live there so I’d like to be a little closer to them. I’m going to stay connected to education but I don’t know what I’m going to do. Although I have been offered some opportunities, I’m going to take a couple months off to relax and move into the new house. I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to be doing exactly” said Ms. Tabie.

Although Ms. Tabie will undeniably leave a large hole at PPCHS and will be missed dearly, PPCHS wishes her the best of luck in all her future endeavors and hope she enjoys her new life in Wellington with her family.

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Student Life

A Starry Night

Lauren R

Specks of light danced along the walls of the ballroom at The Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale. What first appeared to be the result of a twinkling disco ball later

Lifestyle

revealed to be the glimmer of rhinestones on sparkling dresses as the seniors of Pembroke Pines Charter gathered together for their last big moment before leaving high school forever. It was a bittersweet affair; one of the most magical and memorable moments of a high school experience almost tainted by the lingering knowledge that after the night was over and done, everyone would be going separate ways. This didn’t dull the joyous atmosphere as the night unfolded and the outgoing seniors danced their way late into the evening.

The night began with a cocktail hour outside the ballroom where students had the opportunity to take photos with friends and enjoy light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres such as tortilla chips with salsa and blackberry lemonade. Voting for Prom King and Queen also occurred during this hour. Students voted by dropping a marble into the bowl labeled with the name of the king and queen pairing of their choice. The nominees for king and queen included Tanner Redding and Emily Rangel; Shafeek Glover and Tyra Green; and Chase Sumner and Michelle Alongi. The local newspaper, The Sun Sentinel, had a photographer present during this hour to document the students’ first entrance into the dance. The professional photo company Fox Mar also had photographers present.

When the double doors of the ballroom were finally pushed open, the sight was one to behold. The ambiance of the room was undoubtedly reminiscent of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, which was the theme of the prom. Centerpieces of clear vases revealed sparkling metallic streamers ornamented with stars and interwoven with strings of white lights. Each

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t to Remember

Student Life

Ramirez

e

Editor

ing for which the night was named and a short schedule of how the night would unfold.

A buffet dinner was brought out including a variety of different foods. An Italian section contained cheese ravioli in butter sauce, chopped steak, and penne alfredo while an Asian section included three types of sushi rolls, egg rolls, and dumplings. Light jazz music played from the speakers as the students had the opportunity to enjoy their dinner and socialize. The music gradually began to pick up just as the dessert trays were brought out, everything from petit fours to chocolate covered strawberries were laid out on tables towards the back of the room. While some students indulged in these sweet treats, others hit the dance floor to kick off a night of fun.

Two hours in to the night, there wasn’t a single soul off the dance floor. The music played loud through the speakers and everyone danced with their friends and dates. Suddenly, the music came to a halt. Silence washed over the ballroom, save from hushed whispers muttered throughout the dance floor. It was time to announce the prom king and queen. It seemed as if every person in the room held their breath as they waited for the DJ’s voice to say the names they were all waiting for. The royals of the night were Chase Sumner and Michele Alongi. They had their king and queen dance to All of Me by John Legend and the rest of the students soon joined in. Another slow dance followed: Earned It by The Weeknd.

When the lights came on and the music came to a slow stop, the prom had ended. As students left the building there was not a frown in sight. The night had come to a close, leaving them with nothing but the memory of an unforgettable night to bring their senior year to a close in the best way possible.

Photos by: Jonathan Harris

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Student Life

Graduating High Scho

Cristine Alayon

When you think about graduating high school, do you get a knot in the pit of your stomach or are you overwhelmed with joy? When asked about how they felt about finally

Clubs and Electives E

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graduating high school, the Class of 2015 graduates all replied with “bittersweet”. After 12 years of watching their peers grow up right alongside each other, the day for the students of ℅ 2015 together has finally come to an end.

“It’s a little difficult because I’ve walked down the same path as my classmates for so long and now we are all parting our own separate ways. They’ve made me who I am and it sucks that I have to leave them,” said Class of 2015 graduate Anthony Pena.

May 22nd wasn't just another day for the Class of 2015. It was the day to celebrate all 12 years of school they went through. It was the day, they would leave their childhood behind. It was the day they would finally, graduate. Although leaving the young life may be tough to swallow, the graduates have a future to look forward to. That future is called: college. Come 7 p.m. at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, the sight was maroon gowns and caps all over. Families, friends, and others all surrounded the building filled with endless smiles, hugs, and tears.

Behind the scenes, the Class of 2015 lined up in the lead way tunnel guided to the stage. Many faces displayed the nerves these graduates held inside and many other faces revealed relief and the will to proceed in life. Senior, Alexis Tolentino, said “It’s kind of bittersweet graduating because it’s the last time you will see so many of the students. The good thing about it though, is that it feels great to finally be done with school and on to better things.” Out in the audience, the atmosphere contained chatter among all as the PPCHS band welcomed all supporters in with their soft tunes. The tunes being played symbolized accomplishment and celebration for the graduates. Most of all, the band got the crowd going with excitement as they played a couple of High School Musical songs.

As the lights dimmed, the show began. Music was being performed as the graduates walked out from both sides of the theatre. Ears filled with proud parents cheering and screaming out their child’s name. Sitting in the audience, you could feel the nerves, fear, excitement, and happiness vibrating through the entire theatre. The applause continued as well as the noise level when the Class of 2015 made their way to their seats up front.

First up to take the microphone was Mrs. Tabby who welcomed everyone to the 13th PPCHS annual graduation ceremony and congratulated the grads. Next up was Principal Mr. Bayer also opened up the night with his speech which consisted of the words “hope” and “selfie stick.” He began and ended his touching speech by taking a selfie with the grads and a wide spread smile across his face.

Followed by Mr. Bayer’s speech, RJ Reyes (‘15) captured the crowd's emotions with his outstanding performance of the song “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” Shadowing Reyes’s performance were seniors,

ool: Coming full circle

Student Life Photos by: Jonathan Harris

& Hanan Hessin

Editor & Staff Writer

Leysha Caraballo and Kayla Gallego who beautifully sang “Because I Knew You.” Both performances received, what seemed like an endless, standing ovation. After the noise settled, the Mayor of Pembroke Pines, Mr. Frank, spoke about how PPCHS greatly achieved so much, as well as awards, during this school year.

Throughout the past 4 school years, much competition was spread about the top 5%, 10%, and 15% of the ℅ 2015. All these students were asked to stand in honor of their hard work and achievement of being the highest rankings in their class. Sponsor representative, Mrs. Cabeza, gave her congratulations speech and introduced the Class of 2015 President, Leon Morgan to the stage. “Leon is often described by his friends and family by his good energy and humor. He is a uniquely driven individual and I am truly honored to have been able to work with him this year,” said Cabeza. In his speech, Morgan compared the bonds he made here at Charter to ionic bonds. “We learned in Chemistry that an ionic bond is a bond formed when negative and positive forces attract and balance each other out in order for a bond to be efficient. I think that perfectly symbolizes Charter because it was not perfect but, the advantages definitely helped make the disadvantages easier to deal with,” said Morgan.

Next up, Ms. Rago welcomed Jaguar Pride winner, Nick Azcarate. Azcarate’s speech mainly focused on one word: serve. He inspired and motivated the audience members to give back and serve others. The crowd jumped out of their seats as he finished his speech off with an impactful question: “What are you going to serve?”

The last speaker of the senior representatives was Jaguar Pride winner and NHS President, Christina Yeh. When Mrs. Torres came to the stage to introduce Yeh, she looked up to Yeh’s family and with tears in her eyes, Torres said “If my two little girls grow up to be even half the woman that Christina is, then I’d be the most blessed and honored parent in the world.” Both Torres and Yeh exchanged a hug with tears as they shared a very sentimental moment. Yeh’s speech was powerful as she targeted the idea to stay humble and grateful. She continued to use modern day slang such as “we lit fam” and a meaningful slang such as “our class is goals,” and relating that to the Class of 2015’s accomplishments. She ended off her speech with Charter’s famous phrase “keep it classy charter.”

Like it was done years ago in Elementary School, roll call has not changed. From kids to graduates, their names were called for the last time in their High School lives. At last the tassels were switched from right to left to symbolize the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Cheers roared throughout the theatre and as the grads chanted “2015,” caps began to fly. Graduating High School is the bittersweet ending to a new beginning. Together, the Class of 2015 set a new meaning to success.

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Farewell to The CHA Rebecca Gonzalez Issue Photo Editor

Alex Monge Staff Photographer

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Florida State University, Undecided FAVORITE HIGHSCHOOL MEMORY: Prom. It was so much fun to see everyone come together one last time and I had an amazing time!

FAVORITE QUOTE: “I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” - Jimmy Dean WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: Newspaper was a tremendous learning experience for me. I learned to work well with others and become a problem solver. I also talked to people that I otherwise may not have come in contact with. I'm so glad I could be a part of the newspaper family.

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Barry University, Athletic Training FAVORITE QUOTE: "A moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory." – Pete Zamperini, Unbroken FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: My favorite high school memory was junior year in the baseball district championship. It was the first year baseball won districts.

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: Honestly having newspaper for 3 years was one of the best things that happened to me in high school. I made a ton of friends that I adore and who I became really close with, especially this one friend that is now like a brother to me. We were in this class together for all 3 years and we were almost completely inseparable. I pretty much made a brother from this class and I will never forget it. The newspaper class was just an overall family. This class helped me get through many tough times in high school and it will be remembered.

Peter Dourvetakis Web Photo Editor

Kyle Moss-Solomon

COLLEGE, MAJOR: FAVORITE QUOTE: "Hey...by the way...tomorrow's deadline..."

-Jake Dreilinger "You just can't beat the guy that never quits" -Babe Ruth FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: Time spent with Alex Monge and Jordan Corona; Winning Districts in Baseball WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO YOU: Newspaper meant getting to spend every day with my best friends Jake and Alex, getting to walk around the school and take pictures whenever, and getting to complain about doing the website every day. But most importantly it was a sanctuary from actual school that gave me a big family to have fun with for 3 years.

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CHAT Video News Director

COLLEGE,MAJOR: Undecided FAVORITE QUOTE: "Never let your fear decide your fate."

–unknown FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: My favorite high school memory was playing in the soccer district final with a packed home crowd cheering the team on from the stands.

ADVICE TO UNDERCLASSMEN: The more involved you get with school, the more that you will enjoy it.

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO YOU: Newspaper was my favorite class in high school, and it made me more outgoing.

Jake D Editor-

COLLEGE, MAJOR: University of Fl FAVORITE QUOTE: “It’s a trap” –Sta FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMO that cannot be relived and I feel that I w My favorite high school memory wou for not only this year, but the rest of m came as the Gingerbread Man for the fi WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO M thing and everything. I cannot find the regards to Newspaper. Through this, I met a lot of people who I will never for

Aaliya Staff Pho Feature

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Florida Internati munications FAVORITE QUOTE: “Life should no intention of arriving safely in a pretty skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMO is going to Europe with all of my frien Spain and Italy trip with Mrs. Cabeza a of these two beautiful countries with m WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO M me. It’s provided me with new friends and experience that will follow me thro interesting stories through all of the in nitely become a better writer due to thi got to be a Features Editor for the CHA

AT’s graduating class

Dreilinger -In-Chief

lorida, Journalism ar Wars ORY: High School is four years of life was able to live the years to the fullest. uld have to be one that sticks with me my life. That memory would be when I first time junior year.

ME: It meant a lot to me. It meant anyright words to truly depict how I feel in found what I wanted to do in college. I rget and I made a lot of lifelong friends.

ah Pasols otographer es Editor

ional University, Journalism and Com-

ot be a journey to the grave with the and well preserved body, but rather to , thoroughly used up, totally worn out, a Ride!”-Hunter S. Thompson ORY: My favorite high school memory nds during spring break. I went on the and EF Tours and got to tour the streets my best friends.

ME: Newspaper has done so much for ships, interesting stories, better writing, oughout my life. I’ve heard some pretty nterviews I’ve conducted, and I’ve defiis class. I’m honored nonetheless that I AT.

Brett Alayon

Shakayla Lee

Sports Editor

Entertainment Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: Florida State University, Finance FAVORITE QUOTE: “The world is what we make it.” -unknown FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: My favorite high school memory is by far playing at Marlins Park. I still remember being in absolute awe when I went there and the fact that we won made it that much better. So many students supported us that day and I couldn’t be more thankful for having that experience.

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: Newspaper meant everything to me. It’s a class that has energy and is essentially ran by students. I’ve always been a major sports fan and to be able to be sports editor my senior year made this class worth it over the last three years. I’ll never forget all the great times I had and all the great friends I made. I just want to thank Mr. Fagen and all my fellow classmates for a great ride.

COLLEGE, MAJOR: University of Florida, Public Relations FAVORITE QUOTE: “Without struggle there is no progress.

It’s much easier to give up, than it is to pursue the hopes we have for the future. Stay the course and refuse to give up,” unknown FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: If I had to pick, my favorite High school memory would have to be when I went to London and Paris with my best friends. Walking up to the Eifel Tower at night in Paris, gazing at the Big Ben in London, and riding the London Eye were experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: Newspaper was a class that honestly took part in shaping me into who I am today.

For three years I walked into the same classroom and managed to grow as a person within each passing day. In newspaper, I developed my love for writing and found a career within my passion.

Tyra Green

Sofia Gangotena

By-The-Grade Editor

COLLEGE, MAJOR: University of Central Florida, Undecided FAVORITE QUOTE: “Some things are better left unsaid” Unknown FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: My whole freshman year was my favorite year out of my 4 years in high school.

Everything was so new and different than middle school. I had so much fun that year.

WHAT NEWPAPER MEANT TO ME: It meant expressing myself in a different way. I'll never be the loudest person in the room or anything like that, I'm actually pretty quiet but my writing speaks volumes. People seem to listen more when they read my stories.

Staff Writer

COLLEGE (MAJOR): Broward College for Associates (English) FAVORITE QUOTE: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take- Wayne Gretzy”- Michael Scott (The Office) FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORY: In junior year, I won two academic achievement awards for English and Law Studies. I knew I was winning the English one, but I had no idea that I won the Law Studies one. Mrs. Hyacinth is one of my favorite teachers in high school, so it was really awesome that she chose me to win the award. It was really great.

WHAT NEWSPAPER MEANT TO ME: Newspaper was an opportunity to improve my writing. I learned a lot about journalism, and I’ll hopefully be able to use that in my life later on. I made really cool friends and I’m really glad I joined it this year. Also, we got pizza a lot, which was cool.

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Electives: Always touch to choose between Evan Samuels

Picking classes for the next year of high school is one of the hardest things to do. It starts by knowing every little detail about all the classes. Then picking electives is even harder. When picking electives a person can Staff Writer

double up on one subject. For example, some people take two sciences or two history classes in one year. There are many new electives that charter has to offer, as well as the electives that have been around for years. Some of these electives include Basketball/Volleyball, Hope, Debate, Journalism, and many more.

New electives that will be definitely be a hit in the charter system are dance and swimming. Dance is a class where students will learn the basics of dancing. In this class, students will always be very active and get the daily exercise everyone needs. As for swimming, teenagers will also learn the basics of swimming. Sophomore, Marcos Pagella, on the water polo boys’ team said, “I’m really hoping I get this class next year. Not only will the class get me better fit for the water polo season, but I will also get better at swimming.”

The old electives that High school students will be able to take are classes such as Basketball/Volleyball, Hope, Psychology, Journalism, Debate, Art, and Drama. Basketball/Volleyball is filled with exercise as well. In the first two quarters of the school year, students play volleyball and the last two quarters, students play basketball. This class is many High School students favorite. HOPE is very similar to Basketball/Volleyball. In HOPE, people who take the class learn about physical education and then on some days of the week, students play in the gym or outside. For all the art lovers, Art class is a favorite. In Art, people can paint, draw, and do many more creative activities. One of the most popular art classes is Ceramics/Pottery. In this class, students learn how to make pottery figures, which is a unique skill to have. Another popular elective is Drama. In Drama, girls/boys get to show off their talent of being an actor/actress. Like Debate, this class is great at boosting any shyness, when performing in front of audience. These are most of the electives that High school students can take next year, so choose wisely when picking for electives. Freshman Matthew Hernandez said, “Next year I cannot wait to take the class Debate. I’ve heard it is an amazing class from all my friends, so I decided to give the class a try.”

Overall, there are many electives in PPCHS already and by adding new electives like dancing and swimming, PPCHS students will have many options for choosing electives next year. Students can never go wrong when choosing electives because everyone is a good choice. There are old electives like Hope, Debate, Journalism, Psychology, Art, and Drama. Old or new, every PPCHS elective has their own unique style to it.

Electives: There are many new electives to choose from th school year, choose them wisely. Photo By: Jonathan Har

Relay for Life: A Night To Remember Cristine Alayon & Hanan Hessin

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Clubs & Electives Editor and Staff Writer

hen she was only 6 years old, Pilar Sanchez (’16) was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. After 4 years of fighting and recovering, Sanchez relapsed when she was 10 years old. “It was hard to keep up with school and my friends, I didn’t really know anyone because I was always in the hospital. I felt left out but when I joined Relay for Life in 4th grade, that changed everything,” said Sanchez. Relay for Life has been one of the biggest parts of Sanchez’s life. For 8 years, Sanchez has walked the track and fundraised beyond anyone can imagine. Of the 8 years that she walked the track, 4 of them were with one of her closest and dearest friend, Mariana Gonzalez, who she met at Relay. Gonzalez was also diagnosed with Leukemia. Her and Sanchez have been going to school together since they were kids and fought cancer side by side. A Charter Starter and a strong role model to many, all of Pembroke Pines was devastated when Gonzalez lost the fight to cancer on January 10, 2011. Relay for life has helped Sanchez and the rest of Gonzalez’s family and close friends get through the heartache of losing someone as beautiful, and kind hearted as her. As of December 12, 2014, Sanchez announced that she was finally cancer free.

From 6:00 pm on Friday, April 24, until 9:00 am on the 25th, these 16 hours were hours to remember. With over 44 teams and 632 participants, Relay for Life has raised $150,124.15 in just that one night. Throughout the course of the year, our very own Team PPCHS raised $7,940.92. The event was held at Walter C. Young Middle school and began at 6:00pm. The survivor/caregiver dinner kicked off the beginning of this very eventful and fun night. Opening ceremony began at 8:00pm followed by the Survivor Victory opening lap at 8:50pm. There was a wide range of food and drink options sold and much more such as raffle baskets, and fun games to participate in.

During this special event, team leaders and members spent the night and participated in some fun activities including pie eating contests, singing/dancing, walking the track, and engaging themselves with all the obstacles and games that other teams had set up at their tents. One of the most widely known events of Relay for Life is the luminaria ceremony. It took place at 9:00pm so that all participants, whether part of a team or not, can experience this very touching event. The Luminaria Ceremony is annual and occurs at every Relay for Life event. As the sun begins to set, luminaria lines the track to light up the night. A hush falls over the crowd that had been overflowing with celebration. Relay for Life participants, survivors, and caregivers then gather to remember loved ones they lost to cancer and to honor those who continue fighting.

Another big hit event is called “Miss Relay,” which is a beauty pageant with a little bit of a twist. One male member of each team dresses up as a female and performs their special talent. Along with that, they answer a couple of questions asked by beauty pageant queens, such as Ms. Pembroke Pines, Ms. Coral Springs, Ms. Miami Dade, and many more. After showing off their wonderful dresses, heels, and talent on stage, the beauty “queens” walk around the track raising money by getting donations from their fans, which are the teams. The winner is determined by who raised the most money and who the crowd favorite was. This year, for the second year in a row, senior RJ Reyes blew the crowd away with his wonderful act and took the Miss Relay title and crown home.

“I joined Relay for Life to further involve myself in raising funds to create cancer awareness and to find a cure,” said sophomore Analeza Newman. “This event overall has changed my perspective on the little things in life that are sometimes taken for granted. After seeing and experiencing second-hand the effects cancer has on lives of all individuals, whether they are cancer free or fighting the battle, I am now more appreciative of the life I have and I have Relay for Life to thank.”

Throughout the year, the PPCHS Relay for Life team has conducted a couple fundraisers, some of which include selling candy grams on campus and

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an Olive Garden dinner. At the dinner, participants told their waiter/waitr PPCHS Relay for Life team. The waiter/waitress automatically took $5 o the Relay for Life club. This year, Relay for Life has really been on top support help finding a cure for cancer in the best and most effective possi to reach their fundraising goals and go above and beyond with them.

Relay for Life team captain, senior Shaun Enos, has been attending this of it as life-changing. “I first joined Relay for Life in 6th grade and stuck captain this year, it gave me a whole new look on the program. Helping p what we did, gave me a new leadership experience and made me realize h so long.” One of Enos’s favorite things to do it fundraise for the club, suc for Life club has always been large in size, but what majorly helps is w Enos comments “I went from seeing fundraising in the $10 range, to the of this transition is absolutely incredible.”

Overall, there were many efforts by individuals and the team that were r make this special event a night to remember.

Ping Pong Tournament Slams Off Cristine Alayon

Clubs and Electives Editor

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Ping Pong: The ping pong tournament was an enjoyable experience for all of the competators and spectators. Photo By: Ryan Corona

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ll fun and games went down right here at PPCHS on April 15th. A table, a net, 2 paddles and a ball was all that was needed that day. The Pines Charter track team hosted the first PPCHS Ping Pong Tournament in the gym right after school. To join, it was a $3 entry and whoever wanted to spectate was free of charge. How did this all come about, though?

The idea was brought up by senior Justin Ortiz, who wanted to help raise money for his last year on the track team. “The track team hasn’t had a banquet or award or anything. I think the idea was heaven sent and I know the students were willing to help facilitate it,” said track coach Ms. Maycock.

The tournament began with all 32 contestants playing one another. The contestants were all hyped up and ready to roll in the friendly match. It was single elimination, so the first to lose would be out. The balls raced back and forth including slams or even some spins to catch the opponents off guard. “I enjoy playing ping pong whenever I can. Since I’m a lefty, I have a trick of slightly curving the ball that always gets my friends by surprise,” said senior contestant Matthew Rondon.

When you think about it, ping pong can get pretty intense. Many people may so ‘that’s not a sport,’ but it takes a lot of talent to learn the mechanics of the sport. For junior, Jonathan Urena, he knew all about that. Urena came in first place in the tournament against runner up, senior Brandon Ortiz. “The tournament was so much fun, I love the competition of the game. I’m glad I joined it and could help out the track team,” said Urena.

Track is one of the most popular sports at Pines Charter and due to many contestants entering, the track team raised a great amount of money to put towards any type of award or banquet for their accomplishments. The money raised from the tournament will definitely help to jumpstart the funds needed to celebrate the success of the seniors’ last year and of the whole team. The tournament was a win-win for all contestants who had a blast and most importantly, for our PPCHS track team.

Blood Drive Returns to PPCHS Amanda Peralta Staff Writer

ress that they were are attending with out of the bill and gave the money to p of things and making sure they can ible way. Their number one priority is

event for many years now, and thinks k to it every year since then. As team plan the club meetings and organizing how much work went into the club for h as city planning. The PPCHS Relay working with other clubs and the city. $140k range. Seeing and being a part

required over the course of the year to

Relay for life: Students hope to make a change by helping raise money. Graphic By: Katie Perez

Every school year, about three to four times a year, PPCHS’ Key Club hosts their annual blood drive to donate blood to those in need.

Key Club is all about helping others and serving the community in any way possible. The blood drive is effective in helping those in need

of blood transfusions, people with diseases who lose a lot of blood, and many other with health problems that demand blood. Blood drives collect about 15.7 million blood donations every year.

In the United States, every two seconds someone needs blood and more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. The most needed blood type is Type O which is hard very rare and students can majorly help if they have this blood type. Sophomore Key Club member, Abigail Lasnetski said, “Key Club is all about service and donating blood is all about saving lives, so we thought having a blood drive is a great way for everyone to get involved and give back to the community.”

Administrators here at PPCHS see the importance of donating blood, so they make it possible to hold a few blood drives a year here on campus. Donating blood is something everyone would love to do, but unfortunately not everyone can. Anyone that has gotten a tattoo with 6 months of wanting to donate blood cannot. Along with them, any minor at the age of 16 needs a release form with a parent signature and minors at 17 also need a release form, but are not required to have a parent signature (parents can give approval over the phone). “This my first year donating blood and I’m glad I did it. I love the feeling of giving back to the community and cannot wait to donate again,” said junior Leila Hathaway.

Because of students’ loss of blood, they may start to feel nauseous or dizzy afterwards. That is why after donating, Key Club provides foods such as pizza, cookies, granola bars, and juice to compensate for the loss. Donating blood is extremely rewarding and is recommended to all of PPCHS’ students.

Blood Drive: Seniors Jonathon Zigler and Leon Morgan save lives by donating platelets. Photo By: Ryan Corona

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Softball Jags unable to retain title LJ Lemmers Technology Editor

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t’s the 9th inning and the Jags are pitching. The score is tied 1-1. The Jag pitcher, Claire Blount, throws the ball and the South Fork batter bunted the ball to third. Time seemed to stop. The Jags were desperately trying to get the ball. The South Fork player on third base was running to home plate. It was coming down to the wire. Right when the Jags were about to tag the player, the South Fork player dove under the tag and the Jags were unable to prevent the run from scoring, thus ending their season.

“I think we could have played a lot better. We weren’t mentally ready when we up to the plate.

There were too many situations where one of my teammates would hit, but then we failed to pick up a rhythm from the next batters who couldn’t back her up,” said junior Lindsey Fischbach.

Girls’ softball Jags had lost to South Fork 2-1 in Regional Semifinals. They finished the season with a 19-8 record. Even though they did not win States this year, they were able to win District Champions.

This year brought change to many things in Charter and the softball team is one of them. For the first time ever, 8th graders were allowed to try out for the high school team. Three 8th graders had made the team this year. 8th grader Maegan Calandra became the starting shortstop for the team this year and had an incredible season. Her hard work and talent helped the Jags in key situations in their games.

“This season I feel like we didn’t accomplish all that we were capable of. Although we worked harder than we ever have, we just got the short end of the stick. But I think it was a big reality check for us, now we know that we are beatable but we’ve always known that everybody else is, too. It was a great run overall and next season we have to learn from this year’s mistakes, because that’s what winners do. Next year, I have no doubt in my mind that we can win States because of the young talent coming in and all the older leadership we have, we just have to bounce back and be resilient and not repeat the same mistakes twice. I have an amazing feeling about next year, we know how it feels to lose now and we’re going to everything in our power next year to feel the opposite of that,” said junior Kristen Grau.

The Jags will be losing two important seniors for next year’s season. Seniors Kayla Borges and Sophia Devesa will not be returning. Devesa will be going to Nova and Borges will be going to UCF. “This season was probably my favorite season because we really got along and it was always a fun time being around my teammates. I wish we went farther but I’m really happy about my senior year and my team. My four years playing at Charter have been some of the best times of my life. I’m so glad to say that I have been a part of a powerhouse of a program and my high school career has been wonderful. I’m so glad to say that I have been part of a powerhouse program. I’m graduating as a two time state champion and a runner up and I couldn’t really ask for more, my four years have been wonderful,” said senior Kayla Borges.

However, the team will have many key returning players next year. They will have to learn from their mistakes this year so they can improve and go farther than they did this year. It was a good run and even though the girls were unable to win States that doesn’t take away from any of the hard work they have put in this year. Good luck to Devesa and Borges in college and all the softball players returning next year.

Photo by: Rebecca Gonzalez

Photo by: Rebecca Gonzalez

Charter’s success Soccer made it to Regional Quarter Final

Varsity Basketball made it to Regional Finals

Golf made it to the Regional Final

Cross Country made it to States

Water Polo made it to Regionals

Tennis made it to Regionals

Boys’

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Track and Field made it to States

Swimming had representatives in States

A year in review: PC Varsity Baseball Hayley Hartwell Student Life Editor

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Photo by: Peter Dourvetakis

Photo by: Peter Dourvetakis

s the Jaguars came into their 2014-2015 season they had a whopping 13 seniors on their roster. The seniors were ready to make this the best season in Pines Charter history. The players knew that their talent could take them all the way to States, coming up short in Regional Finals last year. As the season kicked off against South Broward they Jaguars took home a huge 12-1 win to get their season started off on a high note. The next game could be a determining factor of their season facing their rivals Somerset Academy. Solid pitching from Daniel Rivero, Anthony Garcia, and Michael Tang combined with a two run homerun from Trent Herzog and a 2-RBI double from Danny Rodriguez allowed the Jags to come out 5-3 gaining a win against the Panthers.

After eight games facing worthy opponents the Jaguars only lost one game on the road to the Western Wildcats which seemed to be a minor bump in the road. On March 10, the Jags received one of the coveted spots to play at the Miami Marlins baseball park against Mater Lakes Academy. The team continued to get their fellow schoolmates involved by arranging buses to take the first 110 kids that signed up to the park and other classmates drove to the park for support. The Jaguars came out strong scoring nine runs in the first inning and continuing to hold off their opponent to end the game with a score of 10-4.

“Our assistant coach convinced Coach Iglesias to allow us to play and we thought it would be great to get our school involved. It was nice looking out into the stands of Marlins Park and seeing our friends and family,” said senior pitcher Brett Alayon.

Halfway through the season, the team competed in an annual spring break tournament in Orlando. This year, the Jags left their impact on the field. Facing El Rancho from California and Edgewater from Florida the boys were able to seal two victories, preceding to the next game against Flagler Palm Coast where the Jags held on to a 3-3 tie when the game was stopped in the sixth inning for a rain delay. This record earned the Jaguars a spot in the championship. Facing one of the top ranked teams in the nation according to maxpreps.com, Olympia, the boys knew this would be the hardest challenge they had to face thus far. Entering the game on Saturday, March 28, Pines Charter would be facing a solid pitcher committed to the University of Florida. He would prove to be their kryptonite with the Jags taking second place in a 2-0 defeat.

“Going on the trip to Orlando was a really great experience for all of us on the team. I think that it really prepared us for the rest of the season as we faced tough competition in the tournament. ” said senior catcher Trent Herzog.

Ending the regular season strong the Jags won five out of six games only losing to Coral Glades High School.

Sealing their second consecutive district title seemed to be a breeze for the varsity team, winning 5-1 against Boynton Beach. Practicing everyday and some days even at night the Jaguars were preparing for the Regional rounds of the post season. Their first opponent would be Port St. Lucie on April 30.

The Jaguars went into the game taking it pitch-by-pitch but fell behind 3-1.

In the fifth inning, senior Matthew Rondon, who went 2-for-3, scored off of senior Anthony Gomez’s groundball. The bases were then loaded and Trent Herzog was hit by a pitch to bring Gomez in to tie the game 3-3. The game was held at 3-3 all the way into extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth inning with Anthony Gomez on second base and Trent Herzog up to bat, Herzog hit a single to left field to bring in Gomez which sealed the win for Jaguars. Moving on to Regional Semifinals would be the next challenge.

Jensen Beach proved to be a tough match for the Jaguars. Allowing 3 runs in the first two innings the Jags were never fully able to recover. By the sixth inning it was 8-2, but the boys had a little fight left in them. Seniors Rondon and Alex Monge-Rodriguez both got on base and Rondon was brought in by Peter Dourvetakis’s groundball. Gomez then got on base and achieved runners on the corners, when Daniel Rodriguez-Velez was up to bat, he hit a RBI grounder up the middle to bring the score to 8-4. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh the Jags were able to secure one more run, but ultimately Jensen Beach got the last out and ended the Jaguars season.

With senior Daniel Rodriguez-Velez leading the team with a .429 batting average, five homeruns, and 29 RBI’s it was no surprise when he accumulated many accolades at the end of the year. He was announced as a part of the Miami Herald All County First Team, BCAA Senior All-Star game, and also Browardhighschoolbaseball.com 6A-14A District - Hitter of the Year, Player of the Year, All-District Team, and Senior All-Star Game. Other members of the Browardhighschoolbaseball.com All-District Team were Daniel Rivero, Anthony Garcia, Brett Alayon, Michael Tang, Alex Monge-Rodriguez, Anthony Gomez, and Trent Herzog. The Jaguars proved themselves once again to the Broward baseball community receiving awards across the board.

Even though the Jaguars didn’t surpass their expectations, they have continued to leave their mark on the high school baseball community. Saying goodbye to 13 seniors will be difficult, but the Jags are known to continue a respectable program and will surely continue to make waves in the upcoming years.

sful year in sports Varsity Soccer made it to the State Final

Flag Football made it to District Final

Softball made it to the Regional Semi-Final

Cross Country made it to Regionals

Track and Field made it to Regionals

Girls’

Swimming had representatives in States

Water Polo made it to the State Quarter Final

Tennis had a representative in the State Semi-Final

Volleyball made it to Regionals

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Sports

Girls’ Flag Football

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Adriana Robles

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lag football may sound like a “fun and games” sport, but it is actually quite the opposite. It takes talent, skill, and lots of effort to be a good player. For junior, Adriana Robles, she has it all. Not only is she good, she is a great player. This 2015 flag football season was her first time joining any flag football team throughout her years. Robles is a rookie to the game, but seems as if she has been playing forever.

But where did this shocking talent come from? Since the age of 5, Adriana used to throw the football around with her dad and friends. Ever since then, she has become a natural.

Besides flag football, Robles is a multi-sport athlete. She plays on the PPCHS girls’ varsity soccer team as a starter.

“Soccer is my #1 sport, but I really enjoy playing flag football on the side,” said Robles.

On the field, Adriana starts at receiver and averages about two touchdowns a game. Her favorite part of the game is to catch and score the football. “I love the feeling of crossing the touchdown line and knowing that I’m helping out my team,” she said. The one thing she absolutely loves is competition. Flag football has tough competition and since she is a competitive athlete, she knows how to handle it. With Adriana’s help this season, the Lady Jags are hoping to win their District and possibly States.

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Cristine Alayon

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t all started out with the simple throwing around of a football with neighborhood friends at the age of five years old for sophomore Cristine Alayon. Alayon is on the flag football team, and used to play flag football as a seventh grade middle school student. Cristine is also on the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team here at PPCHS and has a sports background including softball, which allowed her to have the arm for a quarterback and thus play this very position on offense for the flag football team. When playing offense, Alayon plays cornerback and has good hands for getting many interceptions.

Alayon said, “My favorite thing is to help my teammates out and get the win. As a team captain, it is important for me to lead my team on the field and knowing I can do that, is a great feeling.”

Cristine Alayon looks forward to the next season and hopes that she and her teammates will be just as successful in the upcoming seasons, as they won 9 games and lost only 4 this time around. She has a lot to prove and has come a long way from a small neighborhood football game.

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Sports

The Fight of the Century…. Or was it?

Josiah Celestine Staff Writer

Ashlyn Correa

Aiss bad an athlete Ashlyn has all the skills. There is nothing at. She started her year as one of the few fresh-

who made the varsity Lady Jags soccer team. She didn’t here, and decided to give flag football a try, and ended aking the team. Correa can play almost any position on ootball field including safety, wide receiver, and quarck. The crazy thing is, Ashlyn never played football she got into high school. en asked about the highlight of her season Correa said highlight of my season was being able to play football my “sisters”. This is an experience I will never forget,”. yn’s most memorable moment on the field was when ady Jags were on defense and she ended up getting a ix running 83 yards to score the touchdown. en asked if she’s going to play next year Ashlyn said I love football, the coaches, and the girls that play. een practicing so hard this season, that I became pretty I think we can go a lot further next season because we ave more experience.” lyn had a great first year on the charter flag football She hopes to continue her journey next year, as one of ar players of the team. With more experience, the Lady can go further than ever next season. Good luck to the Jags and Ashlyn next year.

Lauren Martinez

Jdunior Lauren Martinez does it all. Growing up, she softball, basketball, and now she currently plays flag

all. This multi-sport athlete fell in love with the game age of 6. “When I was young, I enjoyed throwing d a football. Ever since then, I fell in love with the ,” said Martinez. This is Lauren’s second year on the as a defensive rusher. As a rusher, it is important for her ways be aware and consistent with pulling flags. This n, Martinez averages about 8 flag-pulls a game. She s the opponent quarterback feel under pressure with her icism on the field. ne of the top players on the team, Lauren takes a leadp role when she’s on the turf. “Teamwork is key for me. helping my teammates and knowing that I can get the one for them,” said Martinez. Playing flag football is f her favorite sports to play because of the intensity and pportunity to make more friends. “It’s all for fun,” she ments. The Lady Jags have had a great season so far and Lauren’s aggression on the defensive end, the future bright for what the Jags have to come.

Graphic by: Carmen Pettersen

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n May 2nd the two biggest names in boxing today were set to go against each other in a match that has been anticipated for the last 5 years. This match is no other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. The two were scheduled to face off in the ring in 2010, according to ESPN. On December 5, 2009, ESPN reported that Pacquiao signed a contract to fight Mayweather on March 13, 2010. Shortly afterward, Pacquiao denied ever signing a contract to fight Mayweather, telling FanHouse, "There are still some things that need to be negotiated." This led to the fight being delayed for 5 more years, until everything was arranged the right way, and Mayweather and Pacquiao were able to fight.

Needless to say, with the long delay, and the quality of both fighters, this match was as hyped up as it could get, with people anxiously waiting the big moment when the two would slug it out in the boxing ring. Many were even calling this match, “The Fight of the Century.” But with all this hype, did the match live up to its expectations?

Sophomore Sophie Fabien said, “I wanted Pacquiao to beat Mayweather and make him have 1 loss in his perfect record, but I knew he would be a hard opponent for Pacquiao. The match wasn’t as exciting as i had hoped, and I know a lot of others felt the same way, especially for paying $100 for it.”

Mayweather’s fighting style is very defensive, which led to the fight lasting all the 12 rounds, and many thinking it was a pretty boring fight. Pacquiao seemed to be in control because he had Mayweather in the corner or in a defensive stance most of the time, but that was just the way he fights, with counters. Mayweather won the fight, but not in the most exciting way, which upset the viewers.

Sophomore Jose Hernandez said, “I think the fight wasn’t as interesting as I expected it to be. As the fight went on I thought it would become more and more exciting, but in my opinion it stayed the same.”

And there were a lot of viewers for this fight. The fight cost $100 to buy on pay-per view, and $110 for HD. In total, the fight pulled in about $300 million coming from the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Needless to say, this is one of the most viewed sports events ever, and many people let their hopes get too high. It was a fight many people were itching to see, and even though it was hyped up and wasn't as exciting as expected, there is always the future for maybe another fight, and more entertainment for the people.

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Sports

Senior A Girls’ Softball: Sophia Devesa

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ith four-year Jag veteran first baseman Sophia Devesa graduating this year, the PPCHS Softball team will most definitely have to adjust to the large gap she is bound to leave on the team. Devesa is proud to be able to say that she has been the starting first baseman on the team for four straight years, that she has somehow managed to put up with four tough years under Coach Tom’s iron fist, and that she has been able to make it to states three times, and bring home the trophy twice out of her three trips there.

“Being able to play with my girls these past years has meant so much to me. They’re definitely what I’m going to miss most about this school, we’re like one big family.” said Devesa.

A true talent from day one, Devesa’s arsenal of skills were already impressive from her freshman year, as she held the highest batting average in her first year on the team. More than three years since then, she has matured much more as a player and as a person, and wherever she goes, the things that softball have taught her will always remain a huge part of who she is. After graduating, Devesa is planning to study sports medicine in college and eventually become a physical therapist, so she can have a career someday in helping talented athletes like herself.

Boys’ Baseball: Dan

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ommitted to Bethune Cookman College, Da game of baseball at a young age, when his father in it, and it became a religion to him. He simply said “ He is committed to (BC) because they gave him a that he loves. Danny is best known for his home r greatest memory playing baseball for the high sch championship. “Even though we lost the game afte ther. We will use last year’s loss as a learning exper Danny’s greatest achievement on the Charter team biggest achievements you can get playing high sch athlete Rodriguez truly is.

Danny just completed his third and final year on th working athlete, and will be a well-respected colle baseball, he believes that he’s ready to work even ha

Boys’ Football: Kevin Gonzalez

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s they walked onto the football field for every game, the Pembroke Pines Charter Football team was always pumped. With a full crowd of supporters, stomping on the metal stands, screaming their names, and singing synchronized chants. These memories will forever live in the mind of all of the beloved football players, especially senior captain Kevin Gonzalez.

“It’s hard to pick out a single special moment from my three years on the team,” said Gonzalez. “Every game was special to me. I went out on the field and put my heart and soul into it. I took in the atmosphere of every game, I knew how great those moments were. If I had to pick one moment it would have to be the last game of this school year. The game was one of the most exciting I have ever played in.”

Gonzalez first became a member of the football team in his sophomore year in high school, and since then he has been hooked. He has played many different positions, but his main three were Safety, Running Back, and Quarterback. His best accomplishment was being crowned captain of the football team.

“It was a great moment when I became captain of the team. I knew how important football is to the school, so to become the leader was huge for me,” added Gonzalez. Gonzalez is going to Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania along with his fellow teammate Damien Charles.

For upcoming and current high school students hoping to play on the football team, Kevin Gonzalez is certainly a great example of the player to become.

Boys’ Soccer: M

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or senior Michael Martinez, soccer is more tha since he was four years old and has used all that e sport on TV one day and became instantly intereste Martinez has been on the boys’ high school soccer he made All-County. Team wise, he said that his te setback. Throughout his high school career, Marti Then his junior year, he played left or right wing. H as well.

“All four years something would happen to my team in the regional quarterfinals. However, it has been made a lot of memories,” said senior Michael Marti Recently, Martinez has had exposure playing aga gentina to try out and scouts liked him and wanted attending St. Thomas University after he graduates. wouldn’t be a surprise to many if Martinez ends up

Sports

All-Stars

nny Rodriguez-Velez

anny is all about power. Danny started playing the ntroduced the game to him. Soon he fell in love with “it’s in my blood because I’m Dominican.” full baseball scholarship, and they have a program run power, and plays the position of first base. His hool team was when the Jags team won the district er, this year we are tougher and we can go even farrience”, says the first baseman. was winning player of the year. This is one of the hool ball. Getting the award shows how good of an

he Varsity baseball team for the Jags. He is a hard ege player. Putting in endless hours to the game of arder in college. Rodriguez is truly a man of power.

Girls’ Soccer: Rachelle Smith

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ursuing a soccer career has always been Rachelle Smith’s number one goal. Since she was a little girl, she was destined to become an all-star in soccer. Smith’s whole family was involved in soccer and helped her to reach her fullest potential. Starting at West Pines United gave her the fundamental skills needed to build on what would ultimately carry her to the Palm Beach Magic Jacks. Through her time at both of these clubs she was able to receive numerous scholarships and ultimately choose to take her talents to the University of Florida in the fall.

“One of my happiest moments at Charter would have to be being able to go to States twice with my team. Throughout my four years on the soccer team I have helped transform the team from below average to one of the best in the state and I couldn’t be happier than to share the memories with those girls,” stated Smith.

Smith has faith that next year’s team and those in future years will continue to train hard, give their all every game, and never think they are above anyone. As Smith continues into the next chapter of her life, she will be dearly missed and revered at Pines Charter but will continue on her legacy as a Florida Gator.

Michael Martinez

an just a sport for him. It is life. He has been playing experience to gain many opportunities. He saw the ed in the sport since then. team since freshman year. For his sophomore year eam would always come up short because of some inez had played goalkeeper for the first two years.

He was the first person to score for the team that year

m. This year it was mostly injuries that made us lose a good experience these past four years and I have inez. ainst youth teams from Argentina. He went to Ard to sign him to a team in Mexico. Martinez will be Wherever Martinez goes, soccer will follow him. It p playing professionally.

Boys’ Basketball: Haanif Cheatham

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lefty standing high at 6’5’ and weighing in at 185, senior Haanif Cheatham is undoubtedly the most prominent figure in the history of PPCHS basketball, and arguably the best ever athlete to put on a Jaguar shirt. Playing basketball and dreaming of someday making it to the NBA since the age of 6, you have to give credit where it is due and applaud Cheatham for taking the necessary steps of making it closer and closer to his dream. Taking up basketball from before first grade due to inspiration from his father, Haanif has grown a lot as a player, and has matured into an extremely versatile shooting guard, respected for his speed, agility, and deadly left hand. Apart from leading the Jags to the regional finals this season, Cheatham’s biggest accomplishments in his four-year PPCHS basketball career include making the ESPN Top 100 Nationwide High School Basketball Players, reaching 1000 points scored for Charter, scoring 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on Senior Night against St. Thomas, and committing to a division one college, Marquette.

“Playing and getting close with my teammates and making better relationships with my teachers and coaches have made me a much better person,” says Cheatham. “I’m really gonna miss putting on the Pines Charter jersey, and being able to rep’ Broward County.”

After graduation, Cheatham plans to attend Marquette for two years, make an even larger name for himself across the country, and hopefully put his name in the NBA draft, so he can one day be able to say he’s living his dream.

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Sports

Senior A Boys’ Track & Field: Carlos Penaranda

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arlos Penaranda. The first word that comes to mind is running. Penaranda runs every day and has made it his life. For his four years of high school, he has been on the Cross Country team and Track team.

“I’ve been trying my hardest to become the best runner I can be. I train every day running as many miles as I can and going the extra to pass my limits. It is my goal to compete in the Olympics,” said Penaranda.

Penaranda will be attending University of North Florida because they have an amazing track program.

Throughout his high school career, his favorite memory was when he went out on a kayak with his friends to the middle of a lake in 55 degree weather and dared each other to jump into the lake. Penaranda said “It was probably one of the best days I had in high school.”

Penaranda finished the track season with amazing stats. For 800m, he had 1:57, 1600m 4:21,3200m 9:47, and 5K 15:46. He was county champion for 1600m and 3200m. District champion for 1600m and 3200m. Penaranda finished in 4th place at the 4x800 at the state championship. At college, Penaranda hopes to continue his success at college. He hopes to compete in the Olympics someday as well.

Girls’ Swimming and Water Polo: Victoria Hill

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or 8 years, senior Victoria Hill’s life has been centered on the water. Hill began swimming at the age of 10. By freshmen year, Hill had been introduced to water polo. For all four years of high school, Hill continued to dominate the waters in swimming and water polo.

“I fell in love with both sports. Doing both was a great experience. I had something to do year round because it wasn’t a one season year, there was something for spring season and fall season. It’s definitely helped me with time management. I never had any down time as I had to find a balance between school and sports and even clubs,” said Hill.

Hill celebrated her final year as team captain of both the girls swimming and water polo teams. She reached great feats in both sports. For the second year in a row, Hill led her water polo team to the state championship. Her biggest accomplishment, though, was making it to the state championship with the girls swim team.

“It had been a goal of mine to make it to the state championship since my freshmen year when some of our teammates went there. I was really proud of myself and the team for making it this year. We really showed what we were capable of,” said Hill.

Hill plans to swim past high school and into college, however, not to the same extent. While she would like to do both, as of now she has no plans of doing so in order to leave time for school. With that said, swimming will always continue to follow Hill where ever she goes.

Girls’ Volleyball: A

I

n the sport of volleyball, getting a spike is the m However, it is not the most important, as that title be ter, senior Ashley Cristantiello is in fact the most tal volleyball team, and her teammates praise her uniqu always admired volleyball since she was a little kid new friendships, and brings out her competitive sid All of the volleyball players on the team have cont and Cristantiello has certainly been a huge leader o big family and I’m really going to miss every single a group of girls that appreciate each other like we d Cristantiello has been one of the most humble athlet proved that even in the biggest of moments, the sen charter starter, she has devoted so much of her time a out. Cristantiello’s commitments as a volleyball athl be overlooked now as she leaves Charter with a last

Sports

All-Stars Boys’ Swimming & Water Polo: Noah Hernandez

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s they dove into the water for every game this season, the PPCHS boys’ water polo and swimming teams only had one goal in mind: success. This especially applies to senior Noah Hernandez. Hernandez has been on the water polo team since his freshman year, as well as the swim team, where he is co-captain. He has been swimming ever since he was in elementary school and simply hasn’t been able to quit. Hernandez has now finished his senior year of high school right where he left off: in the water.

“My biggest hope for this season was to take the water polo team to states,” said Hernandez. “Unfortunately we were only able to make it to regionals but I’m still really proud of the team and the way we performed this year.”

Hernandez was inspired to play by two people, 2014 PPCHS graduate Blake Kelley and his swim team coach Lewis Soler. They both saw the incredible ability that Hernandez had in the water, for both swimming races and water polo. Like Hernandez, Kelley was on both the water polo and swimming team, captaining both.

“If I had to choose one, I would have to say that my favorite moment was winning states with the swim team this year and also winning regionals with the water polo team. It was also great to break a lot of personal records along the way,” added Hernandez.

Noah Hernandez has certainly made a name for himself in the PPCHS aquatics hall of fame. His name will be there with Blake Kelley and many of his teammates with whom he was able to accomplish many of his goals.

Ashley Cristantiello

most exciting and jaw-dropping thing that can occur. elongs to the often unnoticed setting. At Pines Charlented setter the Lady Jags have on the girls’ varsity ue skill every time she does her job. Cristantiello has d because it’s a stress reliever, allows her to create de. tinually stressed the importance of team chemistry of that as well. She said, “Our team is truly like one e one of them. I don’t know if I’ve ever been around do. Our bond was and always will be unbreakable.” tes PPCHS has had to offer and her quiet confidence nior remained calm and believed in her talent. As a and effort to the volleyball program year in and year lete have never been overlooked and will surely not ting legacy.

Girls’ Track & Field and Cross Country: Leysha Caraballo

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rom cross country to track to swimming Leysha Caraballo is not only athletic but highly intelligent as well. Caraballo is ranked as one of the students in the top 5% of the whole senior class, as well as one of the best cross country runners on the county. Caraballo has been a part of the cross country and track team since her freshman year and has participated on the swim team as well, but she knew running was the sport best suited for her.

“One of the most memorable moments of my running career at Charter had to have been running the Florida State course at States for Cross Country. It was a bonding experience for me and my team and something I will never forget,” stated Caraballo.

Caraballo was the awarded the Levine Scholars Program for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which is the most prestigious scholarship for the university. “The four-year scholarship includes full tuition, room and board, a grant to implement a service project of the Scholar’s own design, and four summers of experiences that will develop leadership skills, social awareness, and an international perspective,” (levinescholars.uncc.edu). Receiving the acceptance in the mail was a surreal experience for Caraballo and the happiest moment of her high school experience.

At her new university Caraballo plans on studying communications and environmental science. She will continue her running career by joining the running club and racing to continue her passion for running at a higher level.

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The Curtain Falls on Entertainment Stories Taylor Horan

“H

Managing Editor - Web

ow long do you believe you hear about an entertainment story?” TMZ can tell an entire news story in a little over a minute but a segment on a current event can span a large percentage of a telecast. There are multiple commonly known networks dedicated to politics and news stories, while there is only one major network for entertainment news. While magazines may be a dying industry, the industry still can teach a lot. One thing that the magazine industry shines light on is the common consumer. The Atlantic, a best-selling News and Politics magazine on Amazon, publishes 10 issues in a 12 month period. U.S. Weekly, a best-selling Entertainment magazine on Amazon, publishes 52 issues in a 12 month period. Why does U.S. Weekly feel the need to publish 42 issues more than The Atlantic? Simple. It is because of the consumer.

Entertainment stories seem to die at a much quicker rate than a news story. A story about Ferguson, Missouri can stay relevant for months and could possibly be printed in a textbook in future years. A story about a celebrity divorce, such as Mariah Carrey and Nick Cannon’s, is relevant during certain stages, such as the official statement from the publicist to the finalized documents. After the divorce is finalized, the lack of interest continues to grow and the topic is irrelevant. This is the case with almost all entertainment stories. There are exceptions, such as the passing of Michael Jackson, but for the most part, entertainment stories are only relevant for a few days, if not a few hours. Entertainment stories do not last as long in the population because they are not given the same spotlight as news stories, are less serious, and do not have a lasting effect on the general population.

Entertainment stories are not commonly given the same spotlight time or attention as a political news story. When a bright title card bearing the works “Breaking News” appears on a television screen, majority of students do not expect a story involving a celebrity. “[When I think of Breaking News], typically, I would expect the story to be about a politically important situation or a situation that impacts many people,” shared freshman Sonia Kahn.

Entertainment stories are typically regarded as for entertainment, while news stories are typically regarded as important and must see.

Part of what makes entertainment stories entertaining is that they are typically less serious and less relevant than other news stories. Sometimes entertainment stories are referred to as gossip while news stories may be referred to as news. Merriam-Webster defines news as “a report of recent events “or “something having a specified influence or effect.” Whereas, Gossip is defined by Dictionary.com as “idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others:” “Entertainment stories are interesting, but people know that they don't matter as much as real life events where ordinary people like us are affected,” stated junior John Paul Herrera.

Entertainment stories seem to not have a lasting effect on the general population. If a new movie comes out, a person goes and views the film, then they go about their life. If a major chicken production farm faces a case of the bird flu and chicken prices go through the roof, a person will complain about the increased cost in the specific meat and may make a change of what he or she will cook for dinner. When the news directly affects the person, they are more likely to take note and care about the story being told. Additionally, entertainment stories are not constantly updated which results in the general population losing interest and the story dying. Take two topics that trended during early May: Baltimore and Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, the newest royal baby. The riots in Baltimore call for justice and for people to speak up and speak out. The riots are a call to action to the common people.

The birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana is not a call to action to really anyone. People enjoy reading about the royal daughter and all of the royal family, but it does not pertain to a common person’s life. Additionally, more people look down upon those who are not caught up to date with news compared to those who are not caught up with the latest celebrity gossip. “I would rather read a political news story because I can be up-to-date with the world around me. It makes me feel involved in society's shape so I can contribute in some way. It makes me know how the world around me is and in what way my life may be affected,” said sophomore Alyson Davis.

More than less likely, entertainment stories will continue to keep the public’s attention for just a split second. With so many celebrities and so much drama, there will always be a new, more relevant story to replace the fading entertainment stories of the day. It is fun to read entertainment stories, but it also fun to be aware of current events. The consumer is the reason for the fleeting life span of an entertainment story and it is highly doubtful that entertainment stories will have a longer shelf life in the future than it has today.

Curtain Falls: E ing effect on the p

New Recruits and Retirees of Netflix Camilo Grijalva Staff Writer

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t has become one of the largest growing companies over the last few years. Almost everyone, especially high school students, use it pretty much every week, if not every single day. This is an outlet that students can use to escape the stress of school and be captivated by a story that they can enjoy. There are endless choices of stories to choose from in which they can be lost for hours on end. All viewers need is a comfortable seat, a snack, and free time. This wonderland, of course, is Netflix.

With the new season starting, new shows and movies are being added to the wide selection that the company already holds. These additions include Legally Blonde (2001), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), Inglorious Basterds (2009), Duck Dynasty (New Collection), Modern Marvels (New Collection), American Restoration (New Collection), and many more. The full list of shows and movies being added throughout the month of May can be seen at www.techtimes.com.

PPCHS students are very excited about the new additions that are coming. “I can’t wait to be able to see some of the new shows and movies,” said sophomore Chris Alegria. “I’ve always wanted to see Inglorious Basterds so I’m especially excited for it. This is one of the benefits of Netflix. People don’t have to pay for movie tickets or wait for these movies and shows to come on TV. And if you miss a TV show it’s hard to catch up. With Netflix, I can just watch any movie and show whenever I want.”

Along with the new additions on Netflix, some ‘spring cleaning’ will be done. This means that shows and movies will also be taken off. This list has some star studded titles such as Airplane! (1980), Friday the 13th: Part 7: The New Blood (1988), Flight (2012), Red Dawn (2012), and Skyfall (2012). The full list of shows and movies being removed from Netflix can be seen at www.justjared.com.

“It has happened a few times now that I save a movie on Netflix for later when I will have time to watch it, but then when I finally have time, the movie has been taken off,” said Junior Chinelo Osakwe.

There is no schedule for when Netflix adds or removes shows and movies, so it is best to watch the best choices from the new selection just to be safe. Movies are only on Netflix for as long as Netflix has contact with the movie distributer. It is a rental and streaming company, so movies and shows only have a limited time in selection (ibtimes.com). Make sure you watch these new additions while you can!

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Netflix shows a

New Year, New Trends Autumn Pough Staff Writer

New Year, New Trends: Nike Roshes are a popular shoe that has come to be worn by many. Photo By: Peter Dourvetakis

Entertainment stories do not have a lastpopulation. Graphic By: Matthew Perez

x: Netflix is expanding its selection of and movies. Graphic By: Katie Perez

Photo By: Peter Dourvetakis

D

uring the 2014-2015 school year, many apps and styles became prominent in society. As people’s perceptions changed, so did what they wore and used daily. Trends—the general courses or prevailing tendencies someone might follow. Every year trends change, new fashion comes into style and things that were once popular become old fashioned.

During the 2014-2015 school year, many things came in and out of style such as high waisted shorts, neon colored accessories, and Pandora rings. Fashion wasn't the only thing that trended this year. Trivia crack and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge were also major highlights of the season. Every few months, things evolve and people's views change too.

Not every trend lasts as long as the next, some trends may last a few months while others may only last a week.

On June 15th 2014, Chris Kennedy, was nominated by a friend to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge, which at the time, had nothing to do with ALS. Kennedy, passing the challenge along, and selected ALS because a relative was suffering from the disease. Kennedy nominated his wife’s cousin Jeanette Senerchia, whose husband Anthony was the one suffering from ALS according to the Wall Street Journal. And just like that the Ice Bucket Challenge was born.

By the next month the challenge had already begun to go viral with celebrities all over the country beginning to join in.

With raising over 100 million dollars for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 2.4 million ice bucket-related videos posted on Facebook, and 28 million people uploading and commenting, the Ice bucket Challenge was a major trend this year.

In December 2014, the hit app Trivia Crack became the most downloaded game. The international smash hit pits friend against friend in different categories to determine who has the most trivia knowledge. There are six categories to choose from: Science, Entertainment, Art, Geography, Sports, and History and each has a corresponding character.

The game is won by the first to obtain all six characters. According to the iTunes Apple website, the sensation received 600,000 downloads daily in its prime.

“I remember how right after all the students came back from winter break, Trivia Crack blew up. At first I didn’t know what it was I just knew that it was an app, but after it started popping up on social media and teachers were playing it, I knew I had to download it”, said sophomore Marcos Pagella.

There have been many fashion styles trending as well this school year such as Turban headbands seen on most female students. These headbands twist in the front and have a head wrap style about them. The headband is arguably the summer’s hottest style, from wearing it on a night out or a day at the beach. This trend is truly convenient and accessible.

Making its debut in 2012, Nike Roshes are also prominent at PPCHS. These breathable sneakers are found on many athletes particularly for their comfortable design.

“I like Nikes Roshes and how they came into style during this year, you can use those for anything and they are so comfortable,” said junior Alenet Rolon.

At the beginning of each year, popular fashion magazines such as Vogue share their new collections with everyone.

Once those magazines are shown throughout the world, people start to copy the styles and trends start to change. Many celebrities are known for their starting of fashion trends.

Kylie Jenner is known for her “hipster” style and constantly changing hair colors. Vanessa Hudgens has inspired others with her boho hippy style that she been pictured with many times. Blake Lively is known for her elegant, classy dresses that never seem to disappoint. Similarly, many students have taken interest towards these styles. Many prom 2015 prom dresses are inspired by Blake’s dresses seen on the red carpet. Trends have been taking their toll on Charter.

From the Ice Bucket Challenge to the many trends this year, students and people across the country have taken part in trends lasting from weeks to months.

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Entertainment

Looking Back: Favorite TV shows and Movies Hayley Hartwell Clubs and Electives Editor

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his year has been filled with television and movies that has everyone addicted. There have been inspiring movies and thrilling, jaw-dropping TV shows that have made students tune in every week or binge watch on Netflix.

One show that has changed the lives of numerous girls and boys is Grey’s Anatomy. Grey’s Anatomy takes place in Seattle, Washington at Seattle Grace Hospital following the lives of surgical residents and interns who will eventually become doctors. The show is centered on Meredith Grey, but focuses on a variety of characters throughout its eleventh season run. Due to the dramatic season finale and constant plot twists, it is understandable why the audience continues to grow throughout the course of the show.

“I’m attached to Grey’s Anatomy because they create characters that you can’t help but fall in love with and you feel like they are actually part of your life. When something bad or good happens to them, I feel their pain or happiness as if we were friends. My favorite character was Lexi Grey, she was always positive and happy and one of the smartest characters on the show. This show is what inspired me to want to become an orthopedic surgeon, which is now my passion,” stated senior Courtney Zaher.

Although Netflix allows students to binge watch their favorite TV shows, students have made their favorite movies evident to the general public. One movie that had students cringing and questioning the psychotic nature of people was Gone Girl. Nick Dunne and Amy Pike seem to be the perfect couple until their fifth wedding anniversary, when Amy goes missing. The media starts to perceive Nick as a sociopath for his awkward behavior and starts to believe he murdered his wife as his infidelity, financial trouble, and domestic disputes begin to surface throughout the investigation. Through the course of the movie one realizes how smart and cunning the story line is.

“Watching Gone Girl I didn’t know what to expect. As the movie progressed I got so into it and was completely mind blown by the end of the movie. I have watched it at least ten times and it is easily becoming one of my favorite movies,” said junior Houda Baajour.

Breaking Bad was a show that captured the attention of audiences everywhere because it was so different than anything before. A spin-off to Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, placed six years before the show takes place in 2002. Saul Goodman is the attorney and accomplice of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Better Call Saul chronicles the life of Goodman trying to make ends meet and find his destiny. All Breaking Bad fans have been tuning in to this new show to meet the expectations they had for Breaking Bad. A new movie that has been breaking records at the box office is the Avengers: Age of Ultron. Following behind the first installment of the franchise, it is the second biggest domestic opening ranking in the 190 million dollar range. “When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans,” (www.imdb.com).

“After attending the opening weekend of the Avengers, I can easily see why it was the second highest grossing film of all time. The special effects, comedy, action and even a little romance were all standout qualities of the movie,” stated senior Shaun Enos.

Based off the series of fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, the first book entitled A Game of the Thrones is the basis of the hit TV show. Taking place on the imaginative land of Westeros and Essos after a decade-long summer, it chronicles several families and their fight for control of the kingdom.

“I started as a fan of the books which led me to love the show even more. The characters for the most part are well written, although I don’t like Loras too much. I love how the tone remains consistent and the acting is perfect throughout the whole series,” said junior John Witkus.

This school year has been filled with ground breaking television shows and movies that will surely become classics. Even some of the trendy shows now are watched on Netflix and not live airings. There will always be a way to catch up on hit shows and this year was filled with shows and movies that will continue to entertain audiences.

Favorite Movies & TV Shows: Many people like to binge watch TV shows and movies. Graphic By: Katie Perez

26

Entertainment

Births and Deaths in the Entertainment World LJ Lemmers Staff Writer

Birth Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: James Reynold born December 2014 Nick and Vanessa Lachey: Brooklyn Elisabeth Lachey January 5th, 2015 Shakira and Gerard Pique: Sasha Pique Mebarak born January 29th, 2015 Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher: Isaiah Michael Fisher February 27th, 2015 Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake: Silas Randall Timberlake born April 11th 2015 Kate Middleton and Prince William: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana born May 2nd, 2015

Deaths Paul Walker-(September 12, 1973-November 30, 2013) Walker was famously known for his work in the Fast and Furious franchise. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident with his friend Roger Rodas.

Philip Seymour Hoffman-(July 23, 1967- February 2, 2014) Hoffman was a film and stage actor and theater director who is known for his work in movies such as The Hunger Games and Mission Impossible. Hoffman was found dead on the bathroom floor of his New York apartment with a syringe in his left arm.

He died of mixed drug intoxication including heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine.

Shirley Temple-(April 23, 1928-February 10, 2014) Temple was the most famous and popular child star of all time. She became an actress at the age of three and made her way to stardom. Her best films were The Little Princess, Fort Apache, Heidi, and her TV series Shirley Temple’s Storybook. Temple died at her home in Woodside, California, surrounded by family and caregivers. She died of natural causes, but the specific cause was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Robin Williams-(July 21, 1951-August 11, 2014) Williams brought smiles to many people with his comedic charm. Williams was in many famous films such as, Good Will Hunting, Jumanji, Night of the Museum series, and played the Genie in Aladdin. He unfortunately committed suicide as a result of depression.

Richard Attenborough-(August 29, 1923-August 24, 2014) Attenborough was the director of the Jurassic Park series and was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He won two Oscars during his career as an actor, producer, director, entrepreneur, and politician.

Births and Deaths: Sadly, multiple people passed away this past year but they will always be remembered. Graphic By: Matthew Perez

Joan Rivers-(June 8, 1933-September 4th, 2014) An American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and television host. Rivers was regarded to many as the funniest woman alive. She became famous in 1965 as a guest on The Tonight Show. In 1986, Rivers made her own show, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, and became the first woman to host a late night network television talk show. Rivers died from cardiac arrest during a medical procedure at Mount Sinai Hospital.

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Ma blasts hi

Games to come: Summer of ‘15 David Cha-Kim News Editor

T here were many remarkable moments throughout this school year, including several amazing releases in the world of gaming. With hit games like Destiny, Assassin’s Creed Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Bloodborne, FIFA 15, Super Smash Bros Wii U, and

Mario Party 10 all hitting the market during the 2014-2015 semester, it will be extremely difficult for this year’s summer to compete, but as of yet, the roster for game releases between June and August looks very impressive and doesn’t seem like it will have a hard time keeping student gamers entertained during their break.

T he Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited for PS4 and Xbox One, releasing on June 9th

After the worldwide release of Skyrim, the fifth installment of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls action RPG series on 11/11/11, the hearts of millions of role-playing gamers across the globe were captured as they played through the what seemed like endless—yet never boring—storyline and side quests, taking their very own custom-created character across the vast and diverse Skyrim, one of the provinces of the fictional land of Tamriel, fulfilling the destiny of the Dragonborn. Receiving extremely positive reviews for its storyline, graphics/art, and core gameplay, and even being named ‘Game of the Year’ by IGN in 2011, the only thing Skyrim seemed to be lacking was the integration of multiplayer gameplay. Elder Scrolls Online will be the exact opposite of a solo-player game, incorporating major elements of a MMORPG(Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). ESO’s map is set to cover the entire continent of Tamriel rather than just a single province, and its ability to connect with other players will give it a more lifelike and social feel than ever before. The storyline is also connected to the previous games of the series like Skyrim and Oblivion, giving a reminiscent feel to the series’ long-time fans. Out for PC/ Mac from April of last year, ESO’s transition to the two major consoles might bring some differences but will sure to be just as much, if not more of a success (kotaku.com).

Graphic By: Matthew Perez

B atman Arkham Knight for PS4, XBO, Windows, releasing on June 23rd Set one year after the death of the Joker in the series’ previous title, Arkham

Graphic By: Matthew Perez

that they listen to all day, every day. There ar ings. But perhaps the most committed fan in On April 20th, 2015, Priebe uploaded a v a functional Iron Man glove. For those who beams of energy that are extremely powerf runs through the design of his glove and its m interior mechanics are made of brass. Priebe’ power. However, his glove is able to shoot tw loons and burn into wooden planks. One laser laser is above his knuckles. This one is capab also able to shoot out an aluminum shell, giv “As a big Marvel fan it’s pretty cool to see more Aspen Oudshoorn, an avid Marvel fan. some things are just meant for movies.”

Iron Man is not the first Marvel hero that P discussed and used a functional Spider Man g as well as a harpoon-like feature which mim include laser glasses in honor of the characte lasers from his eyes, Wolverine Claws, Hom from the League of Legends game, among ot “I think it’s really interesting,” said sophomo only possible by computer affects in movies other big movies, it may be helpful in some w Patrick Priebe has certainly set the bar for fan it may be that they support. By actually cre Priebe has shown just how great his fandom t truly are extraordinary fans all around the wo

City, the Batman is struggling to adjust to the absence of his arch nemesis and the eerie realization that the two shared a bond that was deeper than either of them could’ve ever admitted. With the Joker gone, the main storyline of the game follows Batman, at the prime peak of his ability, as he battles the evildoings of Scarecrow, who has returned to Gotham city in a plot to unite all of Batman’s surviving enemies to put the Dark Knight to an end. The most significant changes to the new installment of the critically acclaimed single-player Arkham series are major improvements to cape flight, better use of the grapnel gun, and finally the integration of the Batmobile as a usable vehicle in the game. The player can summon the Batmobile while either on foot or airborne so that it’s ready for Batman when he lands, and can be used to perform jumps, boosts, rotations, missile-firing, and barricade-breaking (IGN.com).

“Arkham City was by far my favorite game on PS3, and the second they announced a sequel for next-gen, I knew I had to get a PS4,” says sophomore Matthew Crenshaw. “The story is not going to be the same without the Joker, but it’s still going to be amazing, especially with the Batmobile being in the game finally”.

O ne Piece: Pirate Warriors III for PS4, PS3, and PSVita, August (day TBA) Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors series, and its several successful spin-offs

including a sister series called Samurai Warriors and collaborations with the Legend of Zelda and Gundam franchises, has made over 20 million sales worldwide, deeming them some of the most successful hack-and-slash games of all time, alongside games like Diablo and God of War (koeitecmoamerica.com). Koei has, for the third time, teamed up with the creators of One Piece, one of the most critically acclaimed anime series ever, to incorporate the gameplay style of the Warriors series into the plot of the One Piece series that many fans have known since childhood. As players follow the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew to make it to the Grand Line so Luffy can achieve his dream of becoming King of the Pirates, they will be simultaneously getting the experience of the manga/anime’s story while also enjoying Koei’s style of fighting. “One Piece was one of my favorite things to watch growing up and it makes me happy to see it still has such an influence,” says junior Alisa Huang. “All the trailers for PW3 really make me consider buying a PS4 over the summer.”

With a fair balance of the beat-em-up/hack-and-slash style gameplay Koei is famous for and the lovable characters, settings, and art styles of One Piece, Pirate Warriors 3 will be the perfect game for any One Piece fan who owns a Playstation (onepiece-game.com). PW3 will feature over 15 story-based maps and will allow the use of over 40 characters.

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D ifferent fans show their commitment in d jerseys and waving flags. There are music fa

A 22 I

Graphic By: Matthew Perez

magine a world where infants were virtua at-risk deliveries, and babies had great chanc by a group Chinese scientists have led to the they are able to edit the genomes of human of infants in the womb if they find that their g The experiment took root at Sun Yat-Sen embryos for their experiment, meaning that “The team attempted to modify the gene resp gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/C using the method in medical applications” (w “I think this development could cure some di tion becomes adults, there are going to be so freshman Xavier Andrews.

This new feat however has mixed reviews. is even born. Infants would never have Dow abnormalities; however, many believe that th very well be heritable; thus, they could affect scientific discoveries is the capability of abu ways to alter genes and possibly try to contr camerican.com).

arvel fan is way to fame

Oh Golly! It’s Scholly!

Camilo Grijalva

Josiah Celestine & Autumn Pough

Staff Writer

All students in every high school across America are striving towards one goal throughout their career in school: attempting to get a scholarship to the school of their dreams. The traditional way of getting a scholarship is to apply

Staff Writers

different ways. There are sports fans with painted bodies, buying ans with their homemade posters as they sing along to the songs re book fans that purchase every form of the book and go to signrecent times is YouTuber and former technician Patrick Priebe. video of himself to his YouTube channel (LaserGadgets) using o are not familiar with Iron Man, his glove is able to shoot out ful (comicvine.com). In his 5 minute video, the Marvel fanatic many features. The exterior shell is made of aluminum while the ’s creation, unfortunately, is not able to shoot a laser with extreme wo lasers, of different powers, with enough strength to pop balr, located on his palm, can shoot a 700-milliwatt beam. The other ble of shooting a slightly less powerful 300-milliwatt beam. It is ven not with significant strength (comicvine.com). one of the most popular weapons become a reality,” said sopho. “But it seems like a pretty big hazard at the same time. I guess

Priebe has brought to life. In an earlier video on his channel, he glove. This creation was capable of shooting small plastic pellets mics the web of Spider Man. Other popular videos on his channel er ‘Cyclops’ in the X-Men films who has the power of shooting mer Simpson’s electrical hammer, and the gun of Jinx, a character thers. ore Chinedu Ezenwa. “The idea that someone can make what is come into real life. Maybe this can be done for other props from way.” ns around the world to show how committed they are to whatever eating working replicas of the weapons seen in Marvel movies, truly is. Whether it is sports, music, movies, or even comics, there orld.

Graphic By: Matthew Perez

to many colleges for the scholarship you’re looking for, or for any scholarship in the hopes you meet the requirements for them. This leads to confusion between students trying to find scholarships, and trying to decide which scholarships would be the right one for them. However, a new app named Scholly has found a way to help students with the process of finding a scholarship that’s perfect for them—and them alone.

Christopher Grey, an entrepreneur who mastered the game of scholarship searching by winning a total amount of over $1.3 million in scholarships, founded the app Scholly. He put together the databases with his two partners, Bryson Alef and Nick Pirollo. According to philly.com, Grey came up with the idea of this innovative app as a junior in high school after he googled scholarships for months. The app was formulated in 2012 and launched in May of that same year. This scholarship search, built for IOS and Android, is an easy way for high school seniors, college undergraduates, and college graduate students in the U.S to gain access to money for their education. Designed to put scholarships literally at a student’s fingertips, Scholly consists of an adaptive matching engine that generates a smarter, more targeted scholarship list unique to every student. The list is based on eight common criteria including GPA, the state you live in, major, gender, race, grade, need or merit, and miscellaneous.

Assistant principal Ms. Battle said, “I think this app could be an excellent resource for students getting financial aid for college, which becomes increasingly expensive. I think the guidance department should spread the word about this app to help students as much as possible.”

The app first became known when Christopher Grey went on the popular TV show, Shark Tank, in early March where he presented his app, and even told the investors of his success using the app. The Drexel University student presented Scholly to the panel and asked for $40,000 for a 15% stake in the company. After his presentation, the investors swarmed him with offers to take up his app, which got his small app to become well-known around the country. Lori Greiner and Daymond John invested quickly offering exactly what Grey wanted. The 23-year-old sparked the biggest on-air fight in Shark Tank history when Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary expressed dissatisfaction with the quick conclusion of negotiations before the details of the Scholly app were even discussed. The app was created in 2013, but has recently become more and more popular among students, grossing over $40,000 in revenue since May and over 40,000 downloads. The app usually receives about 72 to 100 downloads daily. Scholly has recently collected tons of winning scholarship essays, which will be featured in an e-book within the next two months. Grey also wants to create Scholly’s own scholarships so there could be a list of them within Scholly eligible for applying. The app costs 99 cents on the Apple app store, but at such a small price to help students find scholarships which will help them go to college, it will definitely be worth it.

The app isn’t well-known throughout PPCHS yet even though the app has been out for about two years, but at the thought of the app, students seems interested in it. Junior Anthony Castro said, “Scholly seems like a great app that can help students like me a lot with the process of applying for scholarships. When I think of applying for scholarships, it seems very complicated and confusing for me, but with this app, it could help me to find the right scholarship for me.”

The Scholly app is a great alternative for the traditional way for finding scholarships for students. The traditional way might seem obsolete, and confusing for students, which is where Scholly swoops in to save the day. Scholly is a way to get students in touch with scholarships through today’s technology, which most students are used to using in today’s society. It’s a win for students, and many people seem to have taken a liking towards Scholly. This young app may not be well-known right now, but at the rate it’s growing throughout the country, it will be in the minds, and smartphones of many young, smart students in the near future.

2nd Century feat: Stopping disease in the womb Melissa Pierce & Nicholas Rivera Entertainment Editor & Features Editor

ally never born with disease, where parents never had to worry about ces of being healthy for the first portion of their lives. An experiment e conclusion that this may just be a possibility. They have found that embryos. In other words, scientists can correct the genetic makeup genes may carry a life-threatening disorder (businessinsider.com). n University in Guangzhou, China. The scientists used non-viable t it would not result in a live birth (www.scientificamerican.com). ponsible for β-thalassemia, a potentially fatal blood disorder, using a Cas9. The researchers say that their results reveal serious obstacles to www.scientificamerican.com). iseases. Since we are seeing things like this today, when my generao many more advancements. It’s something to look forward to,” said

. Editing the genes of embryos can rid the baby of disease before it wn Syndrome and could potentially never be born with chromosomal his act is unethical. This is because these genetic modifications could t future generations. A most obvious concern when dealing with new use; researchers may use these techniques in dangerous and immoral rol the appearances and genetic makeups of infants (www.scientifi-

“It [genetic modification] shows how we are stepping forward. Of course the ethics of these new developments are always going to be in question, and unfortunately there may be some people who try to take advantage of the fact that they can alter the genetics of a child. But this is a scientific advancement to be proud of,” said biology teacher Mrs. Hernandez-Davis.

Despite possible abuse and complications, this new feat can lead to success on a much larger scale. If scientists can alter genes to the point where they can eliminate disease, then the cured gene can evolve to the point where a once common disease becomes dormant. Diseases such as Dwarfism, Albinism, and even some types of cancer could very well become extinct. This discovery could very well prove to be a genetic revolution, if used in the correct ways.

“If a mother is told that she could pass a disease to her child, but she is told that doctors can do something to fix it, she isn’t going to hesitate to do something like this. But, from an outsider’s point of view we have to decide at what point we have crossed the line and when to just let mother nature play out,” said genetics teacher Mrs. Ramirez.

A world virtually free of newborn disease may be currently far from reach, but with new innovations, such as that of genetic modification in the womb and its progression as a scientific method, it may be nearer than anticipated. This new discovery by Chinese scientists may be vulnerable to abuse and unethical practices, but it has opened a door that previously remained closed. If disease can be stopped before a human is even born, just imagine the future of medicine; cures will lead to healing on another level and the overall quality of life will improve starting from birth.

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Chipotle says NO to food with GMOs David Cha-Kim

I

News Editor

t’s another high school study day. An unspoken tradition, you and your friends all drive together to the nearby Chipotle excited for your mouths to once again meet the taste of the burritos you’ve loved for so long. As you bite down past the soft, warm tortilla, and into the layers of meat, toppings, and salsa you’ve chosen, the only thing on your mind is the heaven that your taste buds are experiencing. But what really do you taste? What makes this burrito taste so magnificent?

Chipotle Mexican Grill has grown to become one of the largest fast food chains in the world, having a multitude of restaurants across the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and France, bringing in an astonishing revenue of 3.21 billion US Dollars last year (businessinsider.com).

The famous fast food company was founded in 1993, but only in recent years has it exploded, growing to become one of the most popular quick-to-eat food spots for people all around North America and Europe, including the students of PPCHS. Chipotle has also become one of the most talked about restaurants on social media, with over 650k followers on Twitter and over 1.2 million Instagram posts with the hashtag, #chipotle.

“Chipotle has really become everyone’s go to restaurant,” says sophomore Alex Schoen. “It’s always been really good and people started to share it with their family and friends and now it’s like you see it in every tweet and picture.”

Recently, several fast food chains, most notably Chipotle Mexican grill, announced they would be eliminating the use of antibiotics in their chicken products, and in the first week of May, Chipotle officially announced that it has successfully eliminated all GMO ingredients from foods served in its US restaurants.

GMO, or genetically modified organisms, refers to organisms in which the genetic material, DNA, has been altered in such a way that does not occur naturally.

GMOs are used to combat poverty and worldwide food insecurity, provide more efficient supply of food, allow crops to grow in harsher conditions, which improves access to food and provide economic boon for farmers, can help to increase nutritional value in crops such as in rice, and also protect the environment by reducing the negative impact of agriculture (the more efficient agricultural production is, the less land has to be used).

GMOs are found in almost every American’s daily life, being a frequent substance present in ingredients of soft drinks, most fast foods, cereals, breads, sandwich meats, packaged/canned foods, and snacks like potato chips.

Throughout the twenty-five years worth of scientific studies, there is no solid evidence as of yet proving that GMOs have any negative effect. However, despite the lack of certainty, Chipotle claims that they have removed them from their food because “the food [they] serve should be made with ingredients raised with care for animals, farmers, and the environment and [they’re] doubtful that the GMO ingredients meet these criteria (chipotle.com/gmo).

The three main reasons the officials of Chipotle have given for this major change of policy are 1. Scientists are still studying the long-term implications of GMOS, 2. The cultivation of GMOs can damage the environment, and 3. Chipotle should be a place where people can eat food made with non-gmo ingredients, (places like these aren’t common).

The ingredients in chipotle’s food that were previously genetically modified were its corn, which was found in their corn salsa and flour tortillas, and their soy, which was in their flour tortillas and cooking oil.

The meat and dairy products Chipotle buys come from animals that are not genetically modified, but most animal feed in the US is genetically modified which means the meat and dairy served is still likely to have at least some GMO. Most of the beverages they use also contain genetically modified ingredients, especially the ones containing corn syrup. They are working hard on this challenge and still aim to reduce the amount of GMO content in all of their food overall.

“I’ve been hearing so much about these ‘GMO changes’ Chipotle seems to be making, but it honestly doesn’t really concern me,” says sophomore and long-time Chipotle customer Chinedu Ezenwa. “Their food still tastes amazing, and whether they’re making the right decision or not, me and most of their customers are still gonna be going there just as much as we did before.”

Although many sources are calling this decision a mistake because there are no known proven harmful effects of GMO food yet, Chipotle is deciding to take the one step further so that they are able to absolutely ensure they are giving their customers the food they deserve. As Chipotle has risen to have such a large influence in the fast food business, other chains are sure to follow their example as well, which may or may not be a good thing…

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Chipotle: Chipotle has stopped the usage of GMOs in its restaurants. P hoto B y : S ydney S ilverberg

Lifestyle Trends of the Year Lauren Cookley Community Outreach

T

his year there has been many different lifestyle trends, but the two found to be the most popular have been green juices and hot yoga. Green juices contain more vitamins, minerals and enzymes than those made with a traditional machine. It's all in the method, as the fresh fruit and vegetables are "pressed" so the maximum amount of nectar is extracted from the pulp, leaving a fresh and healthier juice. Hot yoga refers to yoga exercises performed under hot and humid conditions. It is a huge craze at the moment and it is currently more difficult to find a studio that isn’t heated.

Working in heat helps the body relax, improves breathing and focuses the mind, which develops better mental concentration. Hot yoga comes with all different styles including Bikram yoga and Moksha yoga. Bikram yoga is considered the original form, which classes follow a sequence of 26 postures and focus on endurance. Moksha yoga adheres to “green” principles incorporating things like energy efficient heating. ”According to Isabel Lambert, director of Tula Yoga Spa in Toronto, working in a heated room also elevates the heart rate and consequently which makes the body work harder.

“It’s really for people who want a more intense workout—those who want to develop strength, flexibility and tone along with a cardiovascular workout” (besthealthmag).

Green juice has gained popularity for the extensive list of health benefits associated with drinking it. They help people to gain energy, lose weight, and boost immunity for their body. Green juices have helped many people to control calories. Consuming the drink at the right time, such as using it as a replacement for breakfast, can cut calories by substantial amounts and give people the vitamins and nutrients they need as well as energy to get them through the day. Upcoming Senior Madison Duke says, “My mom has always been into the green juices. She feels they are a lot healthier and even though the color may look odd, she normally does drink one each day with it being her daily routine. Having such a healthy breakfast gives her more freedom to eat what she wants for other meals during the day.”

As we see these are two trends that have been a hot topic of 2015. Many lifestyle trends change more and more each year with the help of many influences around the world. Green Juices and Hot Yoga have been used as a motivational factor as well in reflecting people’s self-image and self-concept.

Hot Trends: Hot yoga is a trend that has become popular trend as it helps the body relax, improves breathing and focuses the mind. P hoto B y : R yan C orona

April 26th: the not so perfect date Lauren Ramirez Lifestyle Editor

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April 26th: April 26th sets record for hottest day in April. G raphic B y : C armen P ettersen

famous quote from the popular Sandra Bullock movie Miss Congeniality states “I'd have to say April 26th (is the perfect date). Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket”. But this year, April 26th was much too hot. In fact, no day in April has ever been as hot as April 26th 2015 was in Fort Lauderdale: 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

The temperature recorded at the Fort Lauderdale Airport on the 26th broke the old record of 95 degrees, set back in 1935. After factoring in the unbearable Florida humidity, the temperature actually felt more like 100- 105 degrees, according to Andrew Kennedy, a forecaster at the National Weather Service. “It may just be the hottest day we see all year”, Kennedy said (Sun Sentinel).

The recent unprecedented heat raises new questions about its cause, something many environmentalists believe is linked to global warming. In a collection of analyses on extreme weather and climate events during 2015, which were published as a nearly 100page report, international teams of scientists found clear ties between global warming and extreme heat events (NY Times).

“It seems like every year the weather gets hotter and hotter and nobody seems to have any idea why. The obvious explanation is global warming but I don’t get why we aren’t focusing that much of our efforts into climate- which is something that clearly affects us all” said incoming junior Caroline Abramovici.

Not only was the 26th hot, the entire month of April was the hottest Florida has seen.

Locally, it was the hottest month on record in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Vero Beach.

It was the second hottest on record in West Palm Beach. Florida was the only state in the U.S. to have a record setting month, with above average temperatures nearly every day and no more than three days of average temperature; though Georgia and South Carolina came close- both having months that fell within the top ten hottest in history (WPTV).

“Blame a persistent, strong high-pressure area that not only brought warm subtropical air into the region but kept cold fronts from making southward progress down the state," said meteorologist Robert Molleda in reference to the record setting heat (Sun Sentinel).

Whether it be the cause of global warming or just a coincidentally hot day, April 26th is a record breaker for the hottest April day in history.

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The Presidential Race for the people Melissa Pierce & Josiah Celestine Entertainment Editor & Staff Writer

W ith the 2016 Presidential election candidacy campaigns in full swing, the American public has been presented with two top tier contenders: Democratic representative Hillary Clinton and Republican representative Marco Rubio. The two took polar opposite approaches when announcing their candidacies within the last month—Clinton with a commercial-type video announcement and Rubio with a formal speech announcement.

H illary Clinton: the everyday champion For the presidential campaign in 2016 there are many big names running including As former Secretary of State under the Obama presidency, Hillary Clinton was the head Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz, but a name that may not be so familiar to voters is Marco of all foreign affairs and relations; she was the United States’ personal travel agent. However, Clinton’s only current position is 2016 Presidential Election candidate.

Clinton orchestrated about a two minute video concerning her decision to run, and was the first Democratic candidate to enter the race (theguardian.com). In this video, testimonials from real people were used to introduce her very own testimonial—that she was working on a project just like everybody else in the video and needed America’s help to succeed and thus be a champion for the people. Not to mention, Clinton is also the first female presidential candidate.

Clinton has left the Clinton Foundation (which convenes businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for women and girls, reduce childhood obesity, create economic opportunity and growth, and help communities address the effects of climate change) in order to pursue her candidacy (nytimes.com). She has built the largest campaign operation of any candidate so far and is expected to win over the young, the college-educated whites, and the African Americans just as her predecessor Barack Obama had done (nytimes.com).

The ideals and beliefs of the Clinton candidacy are similar to that of Democratic President Barack Obama, yet not identical; they include reducing abortion with adoption and foster care, enacting bankruptcy reform, limiting credit card interest, having a Women in Public Service project, and legalizing flag burning. Clinton’s previous views on gay marriage have also changed, putting her in favor of its constitutionality. She is a longtime advocate of the death penalty, is in favor of medical marijuana, and is an advocate for the public and charter school systems (ontheissues.org).

Clinton also ran for the Presidency in 2008, yet her morals and political standpoints have much evolved since then. Clinton has taken the focus off of herself, as was demonstrated in her announcement video, and is expected to not encounter any real challenge until the general election (politico.com).

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Rubio.

Rubio was born in Miami Florida on May 21, 1971. His parents were Cuban immigrants that moved to the US in 1956 and became citizens in 1975. A couple of years later he graduated from South Miami Senior High School, and then moved on to Tarkio College for one year, then onto Santa Fe Community College. After that, Rubio got his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida and his JD cum laude from the University of Miami school of Law in 1996. With all this education, it makes Rubio a very intelligent candidate to run against (www.biography.com).

Rubio has never ran for president before, but he has still held political positions before.

Rubio is a member of the Republican Party, and was a speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from January 2007 to January 2009. Rubio has conservative views on fiscal and social issues, and he believes in the same ideals as other republicans.

Rubio supports an initiative to limit federal spending growth to the per capita inflation rate. He opposed Obama’s stimulus package of 2009. He supports initiatives to balance the federal budget, including a balanced budget amendment. Rubio supports social security changes to prevent projected future deficits in the program. He believes the program should have a higher age for the start of benefits for workers who are more than ten years away from retirement to account for Americans living longer. He has stated that radical Islamist terrorists pose the greatest threat to the United States and that these radicals intend to impose their beliefs on the world. He voted “yes” on extending the roving wiretaps provision of the Patriot Act, which governs surveillance of suspected terrorists.

These are just some of the ideas, and actions Rubio will take if elected into office (www. rubio.senate.gov).

Marco Rubio is a candidate running for president in the next election, and has the potential to win with his increasing popularity. He will definitely be one to watch out for, and the others running know what he can, and will do if elected into office in 2016.

H

Baltimore Losing Their Way

Weekend Reviews

LJ Lemmers

Autumn Pough Staff Writer

Technology Editor

earing the death of yet another black young man has infuriated the black community of Baltimore. Racism has been a big problem for centuries in America and for recent months, tension has boiled between the law and minorities in Baltimore. Unable to hold it in anymore, the people of Baltimore have decided to destroy their homes, loot stores, and protest to the police. Chaos everywhere as Baltimore citizens has forgotten their morals.

“I don’t think rioting is the best idea. Especially, the way they are doing, but I understand why they are doing it. I would be angry but I would try to fix the problem in a peaceful way,” said sophomore Nadira Danticat.

On Monday, the community of Baltimore was outraged with the death of Freddie Gray. Gray had died in the police’s custody from spinal injury. The mayor of the city and commissioner of the city has no clue what happened. Starting in West Baltimore, many black people showed their anger by staying above their curfew after 10 p.m. About 2,000 National Guardsmen and more than 1,000 police officers from across Maryland and neighboring states came to the streets of Baltimore on Tuesday night (cnn.com).

“I understand their frustration but I don’t understand the frustration. I think they should be promoting positive relationships with the community and police, recognize the youth doing a good job, and helping those who are struggling to find their path,” said Assistant Principal Battle.

Gray has been in and out of jail since 2009 for numerous drug cases. There have been over 20 criminal court cases against Gray.

In 2011, Gray was paroled and went back to prison two years later for drug possession. After a month he was released in June 2013.

His brother Juan Grant explained that drugs supported Gray and his family.

Cars and houses were burned. Police were hospitalized, shops were looted by protesters, and many people were arrested. “I don’t understand why they are breaking their own homes, putting a CVS pharmacy on fire, and looting shops. If they really cared about Gray’s death, then they would be addressing the issue, not stealing items from a shop. Most of the protesters are using this incident as way to get what they want. Most of them don’t even care about Gray,” said sophomore Esther Omole.

President Barack Obama addressed the problem Tuesday by saying “some police aren’t doing the right thing” and that has led to tension between police and the black community that has been rising for decades now. “Fixing it will require more investment in cities, criminal justice reform, better funding for education, and soul-searching for some police departments,” said President Barack Obama (cnn.com).

Many famous black people have shown their thoughts on the Baltimore issues. Famous figures such as Carmelo Anthony and Prince are going to Baltimore to try and ease the issues. Charles Barkley has explained his thoughts on the rioting.

“Are some cops bad? Of course they are. But we need the cops especially in the black community. We need the cops. They do a fantastic job? Do they make mistakes? The thing that bothers me the most is that everyone wants to be Monday morning quarter.

None of us know how we react when guns, adrenalin, pressure, so I think we have to be really careful,” stated Charles Barkley.

The Justice Department has decided to lead an investigation on the Baltimore Police Department (cnn.com). The investigation was requested by the Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to achieve a “sustainable and significant reform” of the department that she and the citizens want to see. The Justice Department is investigating if Gray’s civil rights were violated.

They also found systematic discrimination against African-Americans in that city by the police department and the municipal court system. Records showed that black people were subjected more to vehicle stops, citations, and arrests than their proportion of the population (cnn.com).

As of right now, the issues of Baltimore have settled down, but they are still rioting. Immediate action will need to be taken for Baltimore to get back on track though. The people of Baltimore need to come together and stop rioting before their city gets destroyed.

Graphic by: Matthew Perez

Earthquake Strikes Fear in the Hearts of the Nepalese Evan Samuels

“A

Staff Writer

s he moved towards the door, the mirror in my room shook violently. “Stay there,” he said calmly as I clutched a black tote bag to my chest, feeling my breath getting shorter and shorter. I think I screamed and then yelled while he reminded me not to move from the doorway - we’ve always been taught it’s one of the safest places in a building during an earthquake. This was the big one we had all dreaded for years”, says a BBC journalist that experienced the terror of the Nepal earthquake.

A terrible earthquake ripped open the country of Nepal. There were over 4,000 deaths, and more than 8,000 injured. The Dharahara, a famous tower which was built in 1832, had collapsed and many other temples and statues did as well. According to the Huffington Post, “the earthquake had a 7.8 magnitude.” The earthquake even reached Mount Everest which resulted in an avalanche that sadly hurt and killed many climbers.

“When I heard about the earthquake in Nepal I was so sad because I thought about all of the families that lost their loved ones on this day. Everyone when you have a chance, pray for the country of Nepal,” says freshman Gabriela Perez.

The earthquake struck Nepal mainly, but also hit parts of China, Bangladesh, India, and Mount Everest. This is one of the biggest earthquakes in Nepal’s history and seismologists say there is still more to come. Many homes that the earthquake hit were destroyed because of this Nepal’s food supply is really low. According to a time writer, “Nepal’s economy will not recover for three more years.”

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, “The dust has begun to settle after Saturday’s massive earthquake and many Nepali are trying to find some normalcy amid the ruins in the country’s capital city, Kathmandu. But Nepal’s nightmare might not be over. More than 70 aftershocks of magnitude-3.2 or greater have rattled Nepal since the initial quake.”

Already scared after the terrifying first earthquake and aftershocks, on May 12, 2015 another earthquake hit Nepal. According to Yahoo at least 150 people are badly injured, and the quake had a magnitude of 7.3. This quake hit near Mount Everest, so this could lead to more avalanches.

“When I heard about the second earthquake, I was really surprised. I thought about how all the families are being affected, and none of them deserve it, said freshman Matthew Perez.”

Take the time to pray for the people in Nepal, as still even more mayhem may await them in the near future.

Nigerian rescue mission On May 4th 2015, Nigerian troops rescued over 234 women and girls in the Sambisa Forest. This has been known to have become the stronghold for Boko Haram militants. The bullets began and the soldiers rushed to load all the survivors onto the trucks and brought them to a refugee camp. The refugee camp was located in the eastern town of Yola, Nigeria. At the local refugee camp, the people were given food, medicine, and a safe place to stay.

They have been evacuated to join other former hostages to take park in the screening process. As CNN News interviewed one of women, she said “Some of us couldn’t produce breast milk for our children, which meant our children were hungry too, but it’s okay now.” Boko Haram has kidnapped over 2000 women and girls.

Libyan immigrants capsized in the Mediterranean On Sunday, April 12th, 400 illegal immigrants on their dangerous journey from Libya to Italy died when their boat capsized within 24 hours of leaving the Libyan coast. The day after, the Italian coastguard said that they were able to save 145 people who were on the same vessel and they recovered nine bodies (telegraphy. co.uk). The International Organization for Migration said that the victims were mostly males and minors. “I felt so bad when I heard about the boats sinking but I didn’t even know that this had happened before,” says junior Kelcey Hernandez. “People risk their lives to get away from serious problems in their home countries and I think that it’s the EU’s job to help these people out.”No matter what method they decide to take, it seems as if the European Union is finally taking real action against the dangerous migration through the Mediterranean Sea. U.S student imprisoned in North Korea A 21 year old U.S student named Wonmoon Joo recently crossed the border into North Korea illegally and purposely wanting to get arrested. Joo was most recently living in New Jersey and studying at New York University. He traveled across the United States and went to North Korea after an unsuccessful attempt to find work in California. Joo didn't seem alarmed that he could be facing serious charges and prison time for illegally entering North Korea through China. Joo crossed into North Korea near the Great Wall of China in Dandong. He first crossed two barbed wire fences and walked through farmland until he reached a large river. Then, he followed the river until soldiers arrested him. Joo made it clear that it was his curiosity that eventually led him into North Korea. “I think that it’s selfish that a student who has freedom in the United States would risk it, knowing that people are dying for his freedom everyday”, said sophomore Cheyenne Wakeland-Hart.

Source: cnn.com

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2015 Silver Knights Tanner Redding

Silver Knight Award Recipient Business Category Katherine Castaner

Joseph McCully

Kelsey Farenhem

Honorable Mention Vocational Techinical Category

Honorable Mention English & Literature Category

Honorable Mention Digital Media Category

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